Self-surrendering???

If you're self-surrendering to the Lower Buckeye Jail, you'll want to know the following ahead of time...

1. Be on time. If you're are later than 3 hours you will have to go through the whole process again. In other words, back to court, facing the judge again, and more money. Save yourself a headache and more money and get there when you're supposed to. 
   
2. Take the following with you in a plastic bag:
1. Thick, fluffy towel. You can take two with you eventually but this first time when you're checking in, take one only. Just make sure it's thick and fluffy, if possible. You're going to need it during the "check-in" time.
2. Book or magazine. The book must be a soft cover. I suggest a book because you'll have a LOT of time on your hands and will get through the magazine quickly.
3. I.D. Driver's license, state I.D. or passport.
   
4. Copy of the court-order for your self-surrender.
5. $40 cash (small bills). You may not be able to get change so make sure you have plenty of one's.
   
6. Long-sleeve shirt over a short-sleeved or other long-sleeved shirt (no-tank tops or shoulder-bearing short tops...you'll freeze in the holding cells). 
• (If you're doing your time during summer, I still recommend a sweater or long sleeve shirt. The holding cells are freezing and you may be in there for hours before you're processed to the tents.)
7. A pair of tights or long johns pants under comfy jeans (no tight, low-rise cute jeans...comfort is the key), sweat pants, yoga pants or even sleep pants. You want at least two layers to keep warm while you're waiting in the cold holding cells. The average waiting time for processing your check-in has been anywhere from 15 - 22 hours.
8. Two-pairs of socks in comfy closed-toe shoes. Trust me on this one, your cute-pedicured feet do not want to be exposed to the dirt in the 'tent' area.
   
9. Hair scrunchy or rubber-band. You'll want your hair out of your face as the hours go by. No bobby-pins, barrettes or anything else. You won't be able to take them in with you. The D.O.'s (Detention Officers) will confiscate them.
10. Eye-glasses. Non-tinted only. No contact lenses.
11. Small, plastic flashlight.
12. Alarm-clock if you are on work-release or work-furlough. Battery operated only.
    
3. Be prepared to wait, wait, wait. Processing time can take anywhere from 6 to 22 hours. I've heard stories of longer wait times, so I'm just preparing you. The cells are small and cold. You'll have more people in the cell with you if you're checking in on a weekend day. During the week it's a bit lighter and faster processing.
4. Once processed and in the tents, you may want to make calls home to check in with family or friends. If so, they don't make it easy. You have to have the people you call sign up with a company named MyVConnect. Your call will not go through as a normal collect call, unfortunately so be sure to have your loved ones set this up ahead of time. This is something they don't tell you. 
1. Once you're in and you decide to make a call, the phones look like pay phones but no coins are accepted. You'll need your jail ID, which they give you once you're processed and you'll need to use the number on it to call out. The number starts with a letter and then six numbers...example: P667887. You'll punch in the number that the letter falls on, so in this case, the "P" would be a 7, then the rest of the number...so, that would be 7667887, then a zero (0), then the number you're dialing. Wait for instructions from there. 
5.  If you self-surrendered at the Lower Buckeye Jail (LBJ) and you drove and parked there, know that you're going to be moved to what is known as the Durango Jail (3127 W Gibson Lane). This isn't far from LBJ but if you happen to need your car when you get out for work, it's about a 15 minute walk back to your car. If possible, get a ride and pick-up the first time. Also, when you park at the Tents area, make sure your license isn't suspended. Cops are known to pull inmates over to check and will arrest your or ticket you if they catch you.
6. Once processed and transferred, be prepared to wear pink handcuffs and shackles for about a 500 foot walk to the tent area. You may be cuffed with a partner so don't be shy...most likely they're there for the same reason or similar reason you are. 
7. Know that as an inmate, you don't have rights and you are reminded. You may think the tents are horrible but there is worse areas of the jail that the D.O.'s (Detention Officers) will be happy to send you to. This term is known and "rolled up"...basically, this means you'll end up in a different area where you have even less rights and you'll have to wear stripes. As much as you may be pushed, do not talk back or be disrespectful. It can be worse of a situation than you think.
8. Food...ah, food. You get two meals a day if you're there the whole day. Breakfast and dinner, both referred to as CHOW, are not the most flavorful meals. I must admit, the breakfast is the most edible. 
• Breakfast is usually in a plastic bag and includes some sort of bread (wheat rolls is all I ever got the 15 days I was there), some sort of protein (ham and peanut butter is what I got), fruit (apples, oranges, grapefruits), and cookies or crackers. Milk is available at breakfast. You don't have options...you get what they serve.
  
• Dinner is, well, in my experience...gross. Dinner is served on 2 inch thick plastic trays that are compartmentalized and stackable. The main dish is usually some sort of mush-mix that looks like meat, potatoes and thick gravy. It's accompanied by a few sides. Mash potatoes, which look like thick, over-blended slop, a veggie of some sort, a roll, a greasy donut and some canned fruit. It's bland and needs salt or pepper, which they don't give you.
• Vending machines are available but not at any time you want. They give the women in the tents "Commissary" time twice a day. Usually about 1pm and 8pm. However, the D.O.'s will take that benefit away if they get upset or annoyed by the inmates. Whatever you do, don't count on commissary and when you do get it, stock up with a few things. This is where your money is going to help you.
9. Personal items...you can't have any. No purse, make-up, brush, etc. The jail will provide you with the following:
1. Comb - a small plastic one
2. Toothbrush and toothpaste
3. Shaver - small, one-blade
4. Soap - small, thin bars of soap that you wouldn't even find at a Super 8 Motel
10. Blankets and 1 small, pink towel is provided
11. Sanitary napkins are available for women, however, they don't have adhesive and they are the type you find in hospitals or ones there were used with Sanitary Belts in the old days. They not absorbant and they're not comfortable because they can move around. Some women who have been in the tents for a while know how to make tampons out of the pads they provide. I wasn't there long enough but I'm sure if you asked around, someone will know.