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Must read Terms of Service & Privacy Policy and be at least 18

 
MsLucy

Hi everyone,

I'm new to WaP and have just received my first letter from my pp. I would like to know what it is like at GBCI where my pp is but my sister has had a pp for a while and she told me not to ask because it can be upsetting.

I am a curious person, but certainly don't want to upset my pp. What I would like to know is what is it like at this particular institution? What is the daily routine and what are the facilities like? The website seems to have minimal information on it. Also what are the rules with regards to the kind of mail I can send?

I appreciate any responses. But I would really like to know about GBCI specifically.

Thanks,

Lucy


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wildart

This question interested me because I also write to someone there. He describes it as not being as miserable as its reputation, but maybe he's just staying optimistic. He has a job there putting labels on clothes, and a cell to himself.

 
mhaskinsgbwi

I was incarcerated at GBCI for 5 years, from 2004 to 2009. What would you like to know? It is a very secure facility, not much movement allowed. Inmates are locked in their cells approximately 22 1/2 hours per day: the only time you are allowed out is for meals and outside recreation time. You get recreation for one hour 4 days per week. It is very old. The cell halls are the original ones from the 1800's. Desks in the cells are made of wood...the original ones...some cells have the original toilets lol. The piping and electrical are original ( i was an inmate maintenance worker) Pipes regularly burst and flood the cell hall tiers..approximately once a month, and moreso during the winter months. So far as being a dangerous place,, well, if you mind ur business and arent a "tough tony the tiger" you wont have any problems. Walk around like some tough ass gangster thug and youll probably get some negative reactions. Lifers in gbci are not dangerous as the public thinks they are. Most realize that they have to spend the rest of their lives in this place so they dont do anything to jeopardize their stay because it is now home to them. So all the crazy tall tales told are for the most part bs. That so called riot back in 2007 was not a riot. Inmates petitioned to allow cigarettes and cds in prison. When DOC officials got word of this they put the prison on lockdown for 3 months because the inmate workers threatened to go on strike. (inmates work 90% of the jobs that keep the prison working, at a fraction of what they would have to pay a civilian to do it). Visiting room is old, sometimes cold, but it is wide open and you can interact with your loved one without glass inbetween you unless they are in the hole or another seg status. Then your visit will be over a video screen and you will have to talk to them through a telephone. All in all it is very old, and slowly falling apart. The interior resembles the state capitol, as there is a rotunda within it, with very large paintings by former now deceased inmates...

Green Bay Correctional Institution rotunda, yard have classic touches | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press Gazette

 
eddiebear

looks like wraith and mirroman are both giving out great info....

great job fellers

 
Mirror Man

They hide that information on the WI-DOC website.

Inmate Family and Friends Visitation Info - Mailing info is at the bottom of page 4. It looks like inmates can receive goods determined to be appropriate for maximum security facilities sent from an approved company. All approved companies are listed on the linked PDF file.

Information Page for GCBI - This has a picture of the facility as well as staff info and links to annual reports and such.

Also, wraith1 is correct in suggesting that you ask your PP what they can and can't receive. According to the PDF I linked, inmates are limited to specific numbers of things, so you don't want to send him anything that would put him over his limits.

 
MsLucy

Thank you :)

I have actually emailed the addresses on this page a couple of times and I haven't had any reply even though my emails were very well written and polite (if I do say so myself!)

I would phone, but I live in England, so it will likely cost a bomb. I will ask my pp for the up-to-date rules.

Thanks again

 
wraith1

Then find INSTITUTIONS on the left hand side, and scroll the middle till u hit Green Bay Correctional.

 
wraith1

i found it at ; Info.com - Search the Web wisconsin dept. of corrections adult institutions ....Hope that this helps out. I can't figure out how to insert a link, or i woulda done that 4 u.

 
wraith1

I'll tell u this on prisons in general... They change their rules and internal management policies all the time, esp in wisconsins prison system. I i were u i would call the prison itself, and request this info. from the 'mail & property room' , thus avoiding any hassles in the future, or ask your pen pal to send you a copy of the CURRENT allowable list for property, and then you'll have the hard copy for yourself, and allow your PP a sense of doing something constructive... Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections also has a website w/ this info. on it, but that may not be current, and up to date... The mailroom @ GBCI is STRICT as they come, and don't try to fool them, or your PP u, or they'll charge him to have it sent out, and where to is up to him, once in the Mail Room... Hope that this has helped out some, and don't 4 get to check that web site. Sincerely wraith1

 
MsLucy

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I was also wondering about the restrictions on mail, on music, like he says he has a guitar... what else can you have?

Thank you, Lucy

 
wraith1

OK, about green bay..... GBCI was used as a federal detention in the 1800's as a detention facility.... so it is very old.... there is a Noth cell hall, as well as one called the south cell hall..... there are 3 dorms. east/west chow halls, it has its own coal powered powered plant, and garden areas.... it was and will always be called Gladiator School for a reason, and i don't hafta go there, right ? The cells are small, and confining, and for the most part they are single celled.... work includes textiles, laundry, cell hall swampers, kitchen workers, etc. maintainence, electrical, welders, of which i was the head inst. welder, grounds maint. yard crews, and janitorial, etc, etc. The visiting room is old, and confining, the showers, you are 2 ft from the next mo-fo, w/ no divider.... its a cruel place to be in, and the inmates are mostly young, and up to no good, always have to watch yer back, and know who's around you..... if there are any specifics youd like to know feel free to ask !

 
wraith1

ok, i was at gbci.... ill get bak w/ ya when i wake up.....

 
MsLucy

Without me asking anything, in the next letter I received from my pp he clearly stated he didn't want to discuss anything about the prison. Good thing I didn't ask a load of questions about it! I will honour his wish, but I'm still curious if anyone knows about GBCI.

 
MsLucy

Thank you for your responses. I think I will ask. But I would still be interested if anyone has been there or visited there, for them to share their experiences.

 
Yana1908

i just rode pass that facility today.... it does look awfully old. i have never been inside the gates, but i honestly dont think there is anything wrong with asking your pp, its just you trying to get to know them.

 
sagit

Yes, maybe that's the reason. Keep in mind, everyone must find their own way to write. Good luck!

 
MsLucy

Well of course I ask questions, just not about the institution. I think I might now though, perhaps my sister did just have a one-off bad experience.

 
sagit

Of course, asking and answering questions is an important part of writing letters. It would be very unusual if someone never writes any questions at all.

 
MsLucy

Thanks for your replies. To me it didn't really seem like a good thing to ask. I guess it does show interest, but I imagine it would not be pleasant to write about. I don't know.

Do most of you ask then?

 
whitediamonds

[COLOR="navy"][/COLOR]
GBCI is an very old facility, many complain about the water there too.
More information later, having company arrive shortly here...

 
sagit

Your sister told you not to ask about what it's like there? Isn't that what shows your interest about the situation of your pp? Maybe she made bad experiences but usually you can ask your pp always about what it's like where he is. I can't imagine that someone would mind that.