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Asked by DaneMama {71}
9/1/2010 2:26:22 PM Hi, I'm going to take my first prison deposition next week. Would appreciate any advice from anyone who has taken one on what to expect, what to wear, what to pack/not pack in my bag. |
9/1/2010 4:36:10 PM | [2 Votes] Flag as inappropriate |
![]() | Depends on the prison, but every time I have visited, I take only my writer and essentials. They did not allow purses or cell phones at all, so leave in the car. They thoroughly searched my bag and I went through the metal detectors. Other than that, dress down (well, as "down" as you can and still be professional), not too dolled up. Sometimes I was in the front of the prison in a conference room; other times I was way in the back and had to walk past the regular population. Bring a long extension cord because outlets may be hard to find. Good luck! |
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Thanks for the tips. Will definitely go through my bag and weed out any excess stuff. I know in court we couldn't even bring a fork in our lunch bag unless it was plastic and I assume a prison would be even more restrictive. Didn't think about the purse or cell phone. Thanks! - DaneMama 9/1/2010 2:55:30 PM | FlagI echo that it depends on the prison. One prison wouldn't even let me bring in my HANDKERCHIEF for crying out loud, but another prison didn't search my bags at all, and the guard pointed the way to the building where I was going to be, and I walked there all by myself.And bring a quarter or two in case there's lockers in the lobby, so you can put your car keys in it. That's been pretty well standard at the prisons I've been to. - stenoray 9/2/2010 1:13:30 PM | FlagI'd suggest dressing down also. One time when I went the metal detector kept going off - had to take off all jewelry, belt, etc. Ended up being the pins in my heels. - charlotte 9/6/2010 2:48:38 PM | FlagOh, one CR had to remove her underwire bra.....this was at Attica. I've never been asked, lol. I say it depends more on the officer at the desk rather than the facility. I've been to Attica and only once got my bag searched. No purse/cell phone/etc tho. And we have to bring a release for our laptops...a form thru the facility. I never wore open-toed shoes in case the inmates had a foot fetish, lol. I've done depos and Parole Boards at facilities. - Rho 9/6/2010 6:36:08 PM | Flag |
9/1/2010 8:46:52 PM | [0 Votes] Flag as inappropriate |
I got it "hot water" for wearing an underwire bra. One grouchy officer even threatened to send me home. I told him I didn't own any other kind and he actually said, "Well, there's a K-Mart nearby." I informed him, in as nice a tone as possible, that I don't buy my bras at K-Mart. Anyway, if you own a non-underwire, you might want to wear that one :) |
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I had actually heard that at school a long time ago and wondered if it was still the case. Since I don't own any other kind, guess I'll find out. Also the attorney I'm going with may have the same problem. :) - DaneMama 9/2/2010 12:04:20 AM | FlagI ditto the no underwire bra. (I call my underwire-free bra my airplane bra.) - stenoray 9/2/2010 1:10:08 PM | Flag |
Answered by MoCCR {133} 9/1/2010 8:54:14 PM | [0 Votes] Flag as inappropriate |
You'll probably need your driver's license, so remember that if you're not taking your purse. |
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http://htt;://www.bucknerreporting.com 9/4/2010 1:21:59 PM | [0 Votes] Flag as inappropriate |
Check with the prison before leaving if possible - last one I did (years ago) they had a rule that all women visitors had to wear slacks (no dresses or skirts). Good idea anyway ... |
Comments from Facebook | ||
| Lisa Brown Never had any problems. Have fun. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Christal Ruda I`ve had a problem when wearing underwire bras before with the security scanner, so I`d definitely not wear one again going to a prison dep. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Dolores Oliveira Anytime we were assigned to a prison, we were told not to wear high heel shoes or sleeveless or tight-fitting or shirt skirts. In other words, dress conservatively. We were told tape-recording devices would not be allowed; however, I know a time or two I forgot I had one in my bag. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Michael Simon Dress down. you feel grubby coming out of there. Try to ignore comments, cuz if you are near prisoners you will get them. It`s a little nerve racking but just like any other depo. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Linda Barry Only bring your equipment, clean out your bag, they go through it -- lose the emergency tampon. Get rid of any extras, including jewlery, leave your purse in the car, just bring in your id, wear pants. Other than that it`s a party -- count your luck stars that your on THIS side of the table!!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Beth Sklar And don`t make eye contact if you have to walk past the cells! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Linda Pool This is serious and not a joke. Do not wear an underwire bra. If you have to go through a metal detector, it will set it off. So embarassing! It happened to me! I had to go to the restroom with a female sheriff, take it off, go back through the metal detector and I didn`t get it back until I left. Also - if possible, find out what color the prisoners wear and avoid it. Many prisoners wear jeans and blue work shirts. They will make you put on a paper jumpsuit if you look like a prisoner. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Cheryl Hudson And be aware, they have cameras in the bathrooms. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Jan Naquin Never had any problems. Wear pants. Lot more stringent in the state and federal prisons. County/parish prisons I bring all my equipment. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Leslie Johnson Don`t wear an underwire bra. Dress plainly, pants, turtleneck, minimal makeup. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Laura Kaspszak Wow. I had no idea that so much went into this! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Marla Sharp I ruined a $50 underwire bra going to a prison depo. They`re not all that high security, but it`s hard to know when they`re going to be. Try to dress plainly, no belt, no hair clips or metal things in your hair. Pare down your bags - both purse and steno - to only the essentials. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Stephenie Farmer I agree with everything that is listed. I have done a number of them and each prison is different, but the usual standards are no underwire bra (I have bought a bra just for prisons), dress very conservatively, no staples, paperclips, etc. I haven`t had a problem with tape recorder, though. No skirts or dresses above the knees. No sleeveless blouses. I don`t wear a belt or hairclips. I remove all of my jewelry except my wedding ring and I have never been asked to remove it. A few of the p Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Karen Ostrom I have been quite a few times and they all vary. Some are more strict than others depending on the security level of the prison. It might be a good idea to call ahead and see what is allowed. All of the times I have been the secretary setting it up gets the information. A long extension cord is a must!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Susan Sims I agree with above, minimal equipment to get by and wear loose fitting clothing, no heels, basic makeup and hair. Good luck! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Joy Teuber Goodman I take prison depos fairly often. I wear pants with closed toes, nothing low cut. Here, I am required to bring in my driver`s license to a prison deposition. They keep the license, I get a visitor`s pass. I don`t take my purse in and I also take everything out of my bags but the necessities. I left a small tube of hand lotion in my bag one time and they told me I couldn`t take it in. Oh, and absolutely no cell phones are allowed. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| April Hansen For the Chicago jails you are usually sent a list of what you can and cannot bring. Your machine, tape recorder,tapes, pens and even computers are allowed. NO cell phones, NO candy, NO money. What I usually do is empty out my case ahead of time and leave everything, including my purse, hidden in my car. I take my car key and place it in a pocket of my machine bag and that`s all I take in. I leave everything else, including my cell phone, inside my car. You will be going through one or Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Hope Lewandoski I have only dealt with the Federal System. From my experience (Texas) we`ve always had to fill out a form ahead of time listing all the equipment that we would be bringing with us. Have always been allowed to bring recording devices, but only brought the essentials. And no cell phones were allowed. As far as clothing, I agree with everyone else...keep it simple and metal free. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Gail Johnson-Moyer Make sure you take your I.D. and maybe an umbrella because you may have a long way to walk across the prison yard, especially from the men`s to the women`s and no cell phones. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Matthew Silvas The best part about taking a prison depo is when they have you sign the waiver that if you are taken hostage, the state will not negotiate with prisoners for your release. That always makes me feel good. The only thing better than that is being a guy in an all women`s prison. You think men are bad!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Marcella Cordova Zigarevich Matthew: That would be awful to sign, do you get a heart-sinking feeling when you sign it? I work from home and after reading all of these posts, I am very happy to work at home! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Elsy Altuve I guess Miami is as relaxed as it gets, the only thing I did was leave my purse in the car, take my ID and that`s it. All my equipment went through fine. Oh, keep sharp objects away from the inmate, a pen can be used as a weapon. I had to remove the attorney`s pen from arm`s reach of the inmate. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Therese Donovan Sonnemaker I don`t take prisoners` statements or deps just for all of the above reasons stated. If you have children and are safety conscious, you might want to reconsider. You just never know what could happen, and I`d rather be safe than sorry. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Matthew Silvas It really sucked, Marcella, because my agency didn`t tell me anything about that. It was my first prison depo. It was a women`s prison and my deponent, I later found out at the end of the depo, was doing life for murder. She was not shackled and was about a two feet from me. The one guard in the room was on the other side of the room, SLEEPING!!! She was a very nice woman. She borrowed my pen. Had I known she was doing life for murder, I think I would have keep the pen in my pocket! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Therese Donovan Sonnemaker Matt, did she give the pen back??? Sounds like a good murder weapon to me. They`re very clever in prison. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Debra Montoya Iadevaio I`ve been working in the prison system for 15 years and never had en episode...its not as bad as u think...no medicine, no aluminum foil, laptop, no low cut blouse..lol Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Sabine Becker I`ve never heard of taking a prison depo. This is very interesting stuff to read!!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Teri Berardi leave your phone in your car - they will take it from you, and make sure you clean all the unncessary things out of your bag - paper clips, binder clips, pens. otherwise, the security guard will make you do it there. oh, and the bra thing is right - i had to go into the bathroom with a female security guard and be searched. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Debbie Drehobl Pas leave your weapons a home!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Matthew Silvas she did, Therese. Like I said, she actually was a very nice lady. It was just a bit unsettling knowing she was a convicted murderer and how casual it all was. Men`s prison is way different. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Laura Klingenberg Fowler I think if I had never done prison depos myself, I`d be scared from a few of these comments. Don`t worry. They are nothing to get worked up over. After doing them for 15 years, I finally got caught with my underwire on. I refused to take it off and they just used a hand wand on me. I think that`s ridiculous. Don`t wear khakis or jeans. Do take a snack with you in case they go thru lunch, which happens. Don`t converse with the driver of the van who takes you across to another area of the Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Cindy Isaacsen I have gone on several, but the one most memorable was at Leavenworth, and I kept setting off the alarm, and the five male attorneys were beginning to get annoyed, when the lady announced, loudly, Oh, Honey, it`s just your bra setting it off. Okay, so next time, no underwire. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Elisa McKinion Medders I`ve never had any problems. I saw all of the bra comments. Underwire is all I have, and I have never had to change, take it off, or give it up, so maybe you won`t either. Clean your bag out. They go through everything! It just takes longer the more stuff you have. If your shirt is the least bit tight, they will make you wear a guard`s jacket to cover up. Have fun! :) Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Joy Teuber Goodman I can say that you`ll be very happy to hear the gates clang behind you as you are headed to your car in the parking lot. Others can probably hear my sigh of relief anyhow! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Connie Versagi I`ve been out on death row...just bring in your equipment, and car keys. No purse. Wear pants, flat shoes. All the times I`ve been in the prisons, you are never brought around other prisoners. You go to a meeting room, they bring in the prisoner shackled, re shackle him to the floor at the table and off you go like normal. He gets escorted out first when you are done. Never had a problem. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Deanne Hutson I`ve done many over the years and never had any problems. My experience has been the same as Connie`s ... you go to a conf room; they don`t parade you thru the cell block. I`ve always felt safe ... actually safer than some parking garages I`ve been in. It also varies on what equipment you can take in. I was once in a small cinder block meeting room that had no electrical outlets so extra long extension cords would be a good idea! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Suzanne Reid Never had a problem with the bra...however, I agree...dress conservatively and leave anything you don`t need to do your job in the car. i was allowed my laptop only after I explained I needed it :) (just makes it soooo much easier) Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Michelle Andrews-Ting I`ve had no problems. Leave your purse in your trunk, but bring in ID. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| JoAnn Losoya don`t wear a skirt. Did that my first time going and the inmate we were taking the dep of said -- and I`ll never forget it-- I`m sure glad you wore a skirt. I haven`t seen a woman in a long time. I sure like looking at your legs. Scared the crap out of me to say the least! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Elizabeth Hines No underwire bra and don`t leave keys hanging out of trunk lock....=) Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Maryl Hart The pants thing - some prisons have open stair treads and the inmates are below looking right up. I used to go out to the old Mansfield (Ohio) Reformatory (of Shawshank Redemption fame). It was a creepy place. The check-in guard told you, Walk in a line behind the guard. Do not fall out of line. Do not lose sight of the guard. We can`t help you if you get into the general population. And we walked in a line, behind the guard right through the visiting room, looking right up into the c Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Deborah McNally It was in the summer and the guard at the door would not let me in because I had open-toed shoes on. I was pressing him, like what`s the deal with open-toed shoes? He was getting annoyed and I think he was going to throw me out. Anyway, I was in Camden, NJ which is like a ghost town except for the jail and the courthouse. I found a CVS a couple blocks away hoping to maybe find a pair of slippers. No luck. I was now going to go all the way back home and change and while putting my stuff in Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Deborah McNally Story 2: There was a huge lapse in security and somehow or other no one checked my bag. I wasn`t going to force the issue but I could have been hiding an oozie.The lawyer, inmate and I were in the room when one of the other lawyers called up to the room. The lawyer in the room with me figured the lawyer on the phone would never find us so decided to meet him at the elevator leaving me all alone with the inmate. It should be noted that there wasn`t a guard in sight.After an awkward silenc Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Joanne Lombardo Ha, my first prison prelim, I sat on the wrong side of the room, so the guards told me to move to the other, safe side. Scary going through all the search stuff, though, they kept a tiny screwdriver I had in my machine case. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Karin Manning I went to the Wisconsin SuperMax prison for a depo. I brought everything I usually use in. I had to get two lockers to put all my stuff away. Everything I took in was itemized item by item. My hand was scanned for identification. The next time I knew better and brought in my machine, tripod, paper, information sheet and a pen in a small bag . Everything else I locked in the car. They kept my car keys. Some prisons have less security, but walking blocks between sections of the prison, it` Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Margaret Muller Yeah, don`t do it!! Ha. I went to Chino Men`s Prison in CA... I said I`ll do the worst job out there, but never ever send me to a prison again. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Lynn Penfield I once was told my tripod could be used as a weapon and I couldn`t bring it in; did have my underwire set off alarms. Maximum security doesn`t always mean maximum security - they let my videographer out in the yard to cross to the classroom where we were taking the depos - except we weren`t out there yet and the door was locked. I don`t think the poor guy got over that one! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Kelly Kilzer Wow. These stories are so interesting! Do you get paid more for prison jobs? Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Dawn Hyde It`s incredibly noisy. Don`t make eye contact with any of the prisoners. There`s usually a security guard in the room with you and most of the time they`re in a three-piece (cuffed hands behind their back and their legs cuffed) make sure you check this out before asking them to raise their hand for the oath! the only thing I wasn`t allowed to bring in was a cell phone but I go there so often, I think they know me! Get their early because there always seems to be confusion as to who you need Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Kathe Hempstead Just at a prison today! Wear pants, obviously no low-cut tops. The least amount of jewelry possible (it sets off the metal detector). Leave your purse and cell phone locked in your trunk, but take your I.d. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Crystal Storms I`ve only done jail depos. My advice: No cell phone and no purse. Bring your ID. Dress modestly i.e., pants, pumps, long sleeves. Just remember it`s an adventure and you`re there to do a job. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Lynn Evans Don`t wear a dress or skirt. Pants for sure. I`ve gone 2x. First a small pat down, 2nd X nothing. Was deep in the jail. A little unnerving when the inmates are gawking at you. The prisoner was handcuffed to a stool on the opposite side of a table. The deputy stayed in there, but the door was still ajar. Didn`t really care for when prisoners were walking about on the outside of the room. Wasn`t too bad. Sort of interesting to see the inside. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Debbie Landi No underwire bra!!! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Susan Capobianco it`s very intimidating. Be sick that day. Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Shenna Basye-Cara I find them interesting -- it sure beats the run-of-the-mill doctor depos I take every day. All the advice here is pretty on target: wear pants, long sleeves or a jacket, no heels, and really pare down your CR equipment. I haul out the soft-sided non-wheelie bag for the prison and only take in absolute essentials. No purse, no cell phone -- just take ID. Enjoy it -- you`ll have good stories to tell your friends later ! Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Shenna Basye-Cara Oh, yeah, and walk in the middle of the guards and/or attorneys when going to the deposition room. One of the male attorneys tried to let me walk through the gates first, saying, Ladies first! and I told him I was revoking that little courtesy while in the prison. lol Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Laury Leibowitz Wasoff I see a lot of other reporters have had the problem with the underwire bra, as I did. Also, based on my experience at a high-security prison, no gang colors of red or blue, and no denim. We had to wait for one of the attorneys to drive to the nearest Wal-Mart and buy a pair of pants because he had worn blue jeans to the depo and they weren`t allowed. Are we scaring you enough yet???? Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Cheryl Haab wow... all the things i have to look forward to (i`m a student). just wondering... i know that most depos are civil, what would be the purpose in taking a prisoner`s depo? are they allowed to sue people from jail, or would be it be regarding something criminal? Thursday, September 02, 2010 | ||
| Valerie Aurora Tatavitto I have worked in the prisons for 10 years and somewhere along the way they started searching me up and down like never before. Don`t wear anything revealing and leave most stuff at home or in the car. We can`t bring in cell phones, laptops, gum, open bottles of water, newspapers, books, train schedules, lipstick, food. I have never worn an underwire bra, but have had to go in the bathroom and put on some nasty smock, put my bra in a paper bag and have them search it. I`m thinking what fun i Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Karen Nickel Don`t wear pants or skirt with a belt built in that has metal hoops. If you want to be admitted in you will have to rip them off with your hands, because they won`t give you scizzors, and then hold your pants on as you walk pulling your equipment behind you. Otherwise, have fun. Oh, and don`t wear a bra because something in it is bound to set off the alarm Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Jacqueline Victor Two things not mentioned above - one prison depo room was like an echo chamber - you could hear everything in the hall LOUD, too. Acoustics were horrible. Also, I once had an attorney appear by conference call. Surprise! They didn`t have a conference phone!! The attending attorney had to use his cell phone and repeat the Qs to the prisoner, then repeat the answer back on the cell phone! With agreement of counsel, I used the format one uses with an interpreter. It was wierd, but we got it Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Katie Mac Don`t expect your deponent to raise his right arm very far for the swearing in. Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Maryl Hart @ Cheryl The last one I did in a correctional institute was civil. The guy was in for vehicular homicide, but the families of the victims sued his employer, thus he was called on cross as a witness. The memorable part about that one was that I was having some respiratory issues and was afraid they wouldn`t let me take my inhaler in with me. Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Cassie Hefenfinger Wear pants, don`t look good! Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Ruth Shoaff Advice: Don`t go...LOL! JK! Bring driver`s license and don`t wear red and don`t make eye contact... Friday, September 03, 2010 | ||
| Deborah Merideth Never say never, right? The closest I`ve gotten is a murder bond hearing. Dude shot someone in the head. I was a little freaked. Not sure I`d want to go into a prison, honestly. Sunday, September 05, 2010 | ||
| Wendy Seely I always enjoyed the variety, and heck, the being on the other side without having to stay! :) Amen to all that`s mentioned...don`t pretty yourself up, def. no underwire bra. I always felt a little uneasy, but actually quite safe...people took care of me. It`s a neat experience. I would do it again for sure. Thursday, September 09, 2010 | ||
| Velicia Marseille I`ve done two federal prison depos. Both jobs were a lot of pages and I was paid very well. However, I rather not except any jail depos anymore. The scary part is being there when they`re doing the count. No one can leave while they`re doing the count. So that`s a bit scary not being able to leave until they`re finished. Also, it`s a lot of waiting around before you actually get started. I rather not do them. Thursday, September 09, 2010 | ||
| Deanne Hutson I`m going to a correctional facility tomorrow for depos. This will be my third in three weeks so I`m getting used to this. It`s no big deal. Just be prepared to have your bags/equipment searched and you yourself. No cell phones! It also varies from place to place. One facility I walked right in ... I was going to the admin building only. Another facility I had to have my bags x-rayed, me through the metal detection, wanded, through the machine that puffs air on you and then patted d Monday, September 20, 2010 | ||