Those of you in Mohave County know that the new jail is now open in Kingman, as about 350 prisoners were moved there yesterday. The Sheriff's website hasn't been updated with new visitation or a clear mail policy yet, so I called the information line this afternoon (928-753-0759).
KINGMAN
DANGER: KEEP OUT
(this is neither the new nor the old jail, by the way - just a well-placed word of warning to unsuspecting travelers and home-grown drug addicts who haven't found redemption yet: they have plenty of beds to put us up in now)
I always hate to see new jails and prisons built - especially at a time when so many people have been losing their homes and jobs and health care...those places are overwhelmingly filled with the poor. But the old one was in horrible shape, and posed a threat to the health and safety of prisoners and officers alike. It's just so sad to see such an enormous investmant made in plans for large numbrs of prisoners down the road, instead of expecting the region's kids to grow into high school and college classrooms and find homes that their incomes can afford.
Anyway, the officer I spoke to was quite pleasant and professional, but advised that visitation has been suspended for all prisoners, until further notice, due to the move. She suggested calling back on Wednesday or Thursday (December 15/16) to see if they had worked out a schedule yet. The officer I spoke to expressed hope, but not certainty, that visitation would resume before Christmas. The officer was unable to find the new jail's mailing address, but assured me that prisoner mail can still be sent to the old jail - at least for now.
That address is:
Mohave County Jail
415 Pine Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: 928-753-0759
Remember that you can only use standard store-bought postcards, write in black or blue ballpoint pen, no highlighter or felt tip markers, no stickers or crayons, and keep your conversation away from inflammatory, provocative, and (of course) criminal subjects. DOn't send stamps or cash, either. Be sure your name and return address is clearly visible, as well, and that you are using the legal name of the person you're writing to.
If you have legal documents you want to provide a prisoner, either suggest that they request the specific item from the jail law library, or pass the material on to their attorney to give to them. Actually, below is the notice I received from the jail in correspondence they returned when I tried to send information to John McCluskey about concern for his legal rights as a prisoner and defendant. There are quite a few rules that make frank correspondence difficult, and the limited visitation opportunities leaves prisoners extremely isolated and families feeling abandoned.
It would help if this kind of information was readily available on the jail's website, along with the inmate manual, so family and friends have a clue about their policies there. I'm learning to write long, open letters on postcards now, between the Mohave and Maricopa County Jails. Frankly, I think if they're going to strip-search our mail for contraband and forbid contact visits with prisoners, they should strip-search and sniff every single guard when they arrive for shift, too.
(you may have to click on this and download it, then print to read it -sorry it's such a poor quality.)
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