All of us have had the experience of being disappointed by a loved friend or family member, yet wanting to be there for this person, to help him or her get to a better place in their life.  Here are some of the frustrations that surround that situation when the friend or family member is incarcerated.

• In Vermont, phone calls can cost up to $5.00 a minute, because the jail makes an arrangement with a phone company, and a percentage is given to the prison.

• In Kentucky, a prisoner paid $10. for a small tube of shampoo and a small amount of soap.

• Vermonters have traveled to Kentucky - no quick trip! - and been rewarded with a one hour visit.

• There Is no treatment for sex offenders, when they are sent out-of-state. Important medications may not be given, because the commissary runs out, although we have heard reports that health management has improved.

• People can travel from New York State to see a friend or family member, and not be allowed a visit, bcause some new stipulation has been instituted.

• Cigarettes are not allowed in Vermont prisons, but are sometimes brought in by visitors.  They are also brought in by guards, in a black market operation.

• In the summer of '06, a notice was posted about inappropriate attire, and included that visitors could not wear shorts.  Fifteen people were denied their visits that day, although there had been no warning of this policy change until the actual visiting day.

• On seven different visiting days, there were rule changes, as to what was required, in order for one to be allowed their visit.  Examples?  Only two people allowed in, when, before it had been three; if you went through a metal detector and it went off, no visit and no questions asked; necessary to relinquish driver's license during visit; sweaters not allowed; hands had to be stamped, which had not been true previously.  The person who experienced this, in trying to visit a family member, did not question the need for some, anyway, of these rules, but the inconsistency was frustrating.

• Family members trying to reach case workers and other personnel make repeated phone calls, leaving messages, but their calls are not returned.

• A cancer patient was given only one of five needed medications that had been prescribed by DHMC, and was denied an extra pint of milk with his meals, which was a request that was intended to help with the side-effects of chemo-therapy. 

• (from a letter from a man in the Kentucky facility to which Vermont prisoners are now being outsourced)  "This facility is the worst in terms of inmate pay.  I was a teacher's aide in Virginia, worked 6 hours a day and earned $.45 an hour.  I came here, got hired immediately as a teacher's aide, worked six hours a day, and earned $.80 a day.  Less than 1/3 the money for the same job.  Now I am a Chapel aide, but I'm still getting only $.80 a day.  On the flip side, we are forced to purchase many items that Vermont provided free.  I'm referring to various hygiene products, like razors, stamps, envelopes, and medicines that are considered "over the counter".  When I was originally diagnosed with my heart condition, the doctor prescribed aspirin as a blood-thinner, and Zantac because I had developed acid reflux.  I have been getting free aspirin and Zantac for six years, until two months ago.  Suddenly a notice was posted announcing that a variety of over-the-counter meds, including aspirin and Zantac, would no longer be available.  They must be purchased from the commissary."