VISITING EXPECTATIONS
FROM THE WOMEN WHO LIVE(D) IT. “It takes a wise person to learn from their experiences But it takes a wiser person to learn from the experiences of others” Testimonial I By Nancy Faraj In 2010, my husband was sentenced to serve 3 years in a federal prison for food stamp fraud. I was heartbroken, however I never showed the guards that- even though- any chance they got, they tried to break me and put lies in my ear. On my first visit, one of the male guards that was checking me in asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this. I responded- “I’m 100% positive!”. He laughed and said I’m just being used for visits and money on his books, I responded and said- ok that’s fine, can I go into the visit I’m being used for? You should never argue or lose your cool with the guards- that is what they want. They want to break you. During my second visit, the same dumb ass guard was checking me in and he laughed in my face and said u again? I am like of course! U will be seeing every visiting day! The guard responded and said, “No not true, he has another visit last week”. I said ok, that is fine can I go into the visit I am being used for? He said of course u can but you are not the only girl on his visitation list, I am trying to help u out so u do not waste your time. I said that is so nice of you, but am I free to walk in now and I walked in my visit. This guard was so lucky I love my man, lord knows I would dropped kicked him. They will say just about anything to mess with u and make you not trust your man so u can leave him and your man can be in there alone stressing. The guards love to see them stressing but as a prison wife, we cannot let that happen. Never trust or believe anything they say, walk in with your head up always have a big smile. Always have a change of clothes for you and the kids, they can get dirty at times and make u change life. As a prison wife, all around is hard if u have to deal with hatin ass guards it is hard, but u stay strong they cannot keep them forever. In 2013 my brothers got convinced of CCI running a marijuana drug ring and conspiracy 1 brother the youngest got 24 years the oldest brother got charged with conspiracy he got 5 years and me I’m back to dealing with them asshole guards. Being a prison wife and visiting your husband, u are treated a different way then visiting a family member. You are treated like ur that family member behind bars- they think ur trying to bring stuff in that’s not supposed to be in there, they look at u funny and their attitude is on 200 and u can’t do nothing about it but say no sir yes sir thank u sir or ur visit will be canceled. They mess 29
Nancy Faraj & Husband with you even harder cuz it will mess with your loved one behind bars. My brothers were shipped to different states, I have visited different prisons and all the guards are the same. If you having a bad day and you still going to visiting keep in mind you’re about to face a jerk and you need to keep ur cool. Testimonial II By Jessica Woody My name is Jessica Woody. I have been visiting my husband for the last year in five different facilities in the New York area. These tips are from my personal experiences visiting upstate. I hope they can better assist anyone who is looking for information when visiting. 1. Bring (unexpired) photo I.D 2. If bringing a child you will need their birth certificate 3. Have on hand the person you are visiting DIN # 4. Make sure you call the jail first to find out visiting schedule for your loved one 5. Bring small bills for vending machines $1, 5, 10 as well as coins 6. Dress loose, try not to wear tight shirts especially if you have a big chest. Always wear pants or jeans with pockets. Nothing see through! 7. Always bring back up clothes. Extra pants/jeans shirts sweaters
