BIG MUDDY Correctional Center

[Marks_guy]

It's usually just a couple of days. If too much time goes by, he can ask to see his counselor.

[TimeStandsStill]

It's going on 2 weeks.  I'll relay the info. to him the next time he calls.

He just got the issue with the tattoo's taken care of with IA and it's now up-to-date.  Thanks for the info. regarding that, too.

[Marks_guy]

It's good to know that has been taken care of. I'm sorry if I had you worried about it, but I always believe it is better to be safe than sorry.

There may be a delay in seeing the counselor because of inmate movement. M told me they have been shuffling people around quite a bit as of late.

Here's a question. M was just moved into a "theraputic community." He's taking a substance abuse program at the moment, in case that helps. I'm waiting for a reply letter from him, but can anyone give me a heads up as to what that means or entails?

[lvanrs2]

If I am not mistaken I believe that is over in 4 house.  They hold all different types of classes over there and are separated from the rest of the population.  I also believe inmates who are in regular college classes are in 4 house as well.  I know that isn't much information but it's all I can recall from talking to my husband about the different houses.

[Marks_guy]

Thanks lvanrs. I appreciate you trying to clear that up. I knew that 4 house was for those in classes and programs since M was there while in horticulture class. Now he's been moved to a different wing of 4 house to be part of this "theraputic community." I was a little concerned because I thought I had read that is what they call the section of BMR for sexually dangerous persons.

[TimeStandsStill]

It's good to know that has been taken care of. I'm sorry if I had you worried about it, but I always believe it is better to be safe than sorry.

There may be a delay in seeing the counselor because of inmate movement. M told me they have been shuffling people around quite a bit as of late.

Here's a question. M was just moved into a "theraputic community." He's taking a substance abuse program at the moment, in case that helps. I'm waiting for a reply letter from him, but can anyone give me a heads up as to what that means or entails?

I agree, better safe than sorry.  Being a "newbie" to all of this, I had no idea that it could become an issue down the road.  Again, thanks for the heads up so I could tell him and avoid something that could have been a potential problem.

I don't know much about the housing.  He did mention that the inmates that go to school are housed in one place as Ivanrs2 said but that's all I know.   He said he was expecting to be moved but no clue as to when.

I believe he is on a waiting list for the substance abuse program and I think he's on a waiting list to talk to his counselor, too.  He's on every list imaginable! They ran out of request slips to be filled out, so he made his own.  He was told he can't do that and he would have to make a request for request forms! It's almost laughable if it weren't so pathetic. 

[jdmlt]

When we visited Big Muddy last we were told, to get a plastic chair we would need a doctors note stating why one was needed. Our letters from Northern IL are taking 8 to 10 days.  The Officers in the visiting room are so far very nice and helpful.  There is a restroom in the visiting room for visitors to use but not the inmates, and if inmate has to use restroom it isn't guarenteed (sorry spelling) that he would be allowed back into visiting room, depends on guards.  You can get playing cards and Uno cards while visiting...I'm checking on how I can donate Skip0 cards since my family loves that game and is easy to learn.  Hard cover books are allowed to the inmates.  I try and bring the books while visiting, they have a drop off box for books, magazines and peridoticals.  The first time I visited, I did not have a bra on and was not allowed in.  I was wearing a dark color T shirt and I wear a almost A bra and still was told NO adult can enter without a bra and underwear on, no matter what.  Vending machines are not bad, been there several times and one machine is always down but not to high of pricing..1.25 pop, 2.00 sandwiches . Visiting hours are only until 5:30pm.  I don't know how things run on the holidays since Thanksgiving will be my first time visiting on a holiday, but during the week day we have been able to stay any length and got in quickly, weekend we had a while before we got in and stayed until we wanted to leave around 4 hrs. Just an update since I just became a member.

[TimeStandsStill]

Hi and welcome to IPT!  I also have a LO at BMR. 

Perhaps you didn't see it but there is a separate restroom for the inmates in the visiting room.  It says something like Inmates Only on the door.  All he has to do is ask to use it since it is locked. When you are in the visiting room it is to the left of the door where you come in.

[jdmlt]

thank you, my son was trying to watch his liquid intake because that is what he was told and of course since he has not been there very long he doesn't know which guards are decent.

[jdmlt]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for a doctor to see an inmate? The last two or three times I've seen my son I notice he is having the same side effects I had with my medical condition of a hyperthyroid...I'm concerned that the prison system won't even give him the easy blood test to either confirm it or not...I already was told that the system won't give him his ADHD medications, but the doctor told him that if my son wants he will prescribe Wellebrin, which my son has never been on.  I told my son to request this test but I feel like I'm just setting my son up for disappointment and worry...

[Marks_guy]

It can take a few weeks to see the doctor. Once he puts in the request, he'll just have to wait until he is called.

[jdmlt]

thank you for your answer, Mark's guy...appreciate it

[jdmlt]

Can anyone tell me if there is a limit on amount of books, etc...I can bring with me to the visit to drop off for my son...I read somewhere that some prisons has limits and was just wondering...

[TimeStandsStill]

The limit is 5. Books, newspapers, magazines, etc.   There is a drop box in the waiting area and the forms to fill out for them are usually on top of the box.  If you visit on the weekend don't be surprised if the box is full. Just be prepared to possibly take everything back with you.

[wildcat7]

Is anyone going to make a visit this weekend? I am leaving after our son's basketball game tonight so I can be there early in the morning. Hopefully, there will not be too many people there so I can stay all day and all day Sunday. Thursday was our anniversary, so it is a special visit for us!

[jdmlt]

My family usually goes on a Thurs. & Fri. Thank you for the info on the limits..and you are correct the one time we went on a Sat. the box was full.  Can I leave a calendar in the drop off box? We will be going up the 23 & 24 and hoping to drop off his Christmas gifts that day which is the calendar and books.

[TimeStandsStill]

I couldn't say for sure but personally I wouldn't put a calendar in the drop box since it is meant for periodicals and books.  I had pictures printed on paper that I wanted to put in there the first time I visited and they told me no. I suppose you could call and ask just to be on the safe side but I would mail a calendar.

[jdmlt]

thank you, I now remember reading on the drop box what is able to be left...I will mail the calendar...

[jdmlt]

Big Muddy IDOC page says is on Lock Down this afternoon....talked to my son last night. Hopefully it won't be a long one.

[TimeStandsStill]

Thanks for the info. jdmlt.  I hope it's not a long one either.  I've never been through an "official" lockdown before, only the "mini's".  I got a "thinking of you" call last night.  Let us know if you happen to hear of any details and I'll do the same.