Life Support Alliance

Memo from CDCR this morning, apparently all video calls are having problems CDCR is experiencing technical difficulties with the video visiting system at all sites. Unfortunately, we will be canceling today’s visits in order to resolve the issue. We apologize for this inconvenience, and assure you that we will be working to reschedule video visits to your loved ones. Please check our visiting page for update. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

If you have questions or concerns on a specific issue regarding CoVid 19 conditions, movement, information at your LO’s prison you should reach out, starting at the institution level, then moving up the chain of command, to Sacramento and beyond. For information on who and how to contact such resources as the medical receiver’s office, the ombudsman and others, go to our website, www.lifesupportalliance.org and click on the Recourses tabthen the CoVid Resources, and go to t...he CoVid 19 & CDCR Resources document. That will give you numbers and suggestions, including how to find your state legislators, if you need to get them involved. And you may. Be sure to give your name, your LO name and numbers and WHERE HE/SHE IS LOCAATED. State your ask, civilly, unemotionally and reasonably, don’t ask for him/her to be releasedno one has time for pipe dreams right now. Request a call back in a reasonable time, a couple days is fine, and ask for information on other steps to take. Don’t cry, don’t beg, don’t demand. None of that will make any difference. Understand that there are literally thousands of others in the same worry and confusion as you are and be real. Approach the individual prison first, then CDCR HQ and then get the medical receiver and/or your legislators involved, as a last resort. If you think you can jump the line by going to the top without starting at the local levelthey’ll ask you if you’ve done that and if not, they’ll suggest you do. So, your efforts to jump the line can result in additional delays. And, again, understand, if you are not on the 7385, CDCR isn’t just being difficult in not telling you anything, by law, unless you are on the form, they cannot tell you any confidential health information, no matter who you are or your relation to the person inside. See more

Opened my computer this morning to 79 emails, 47 asking for my help, me to do something, in getting someone's LO released, either from prison, from quarantine or forgiven--and a good number of these pleas were from non-lifer families. My heart hurts for everyone inside and all the families--but my Superman costume is at the cleaners. Once again, here is what YOU can do: FIRST--MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE 7385. Start by contacting the prison, the medical staff there, his/her co...unselor, the warden and the Ombudsman for that institution. Ask for something reasonable--what's the plan for this individual, what's his/her condition, what are the plans to address the prison conditions you're concerned about, what's being done about X, Y Z situation. Give them a reasonable time to respond--a couple of days. And do not expect miracles---your LO is not gonna be released just because. If no response or inadequate, call the medical receiver's office (CCHCS), the Office of the Inspector General and your state legislators--not Harris or Feinstein, they're feds and can't help on a state issue. And keep calling daily, twice a day, whatever it takes. How to find out where to call? Go to our website, www.lifesupportalliance.org and under the CoVid Resources tab go to the CoVid 19 & CDCR Resources document, where you can find numbers and names, as well as how to find your state legislators, if you don't know who they are. See more

Free phone calls on Dec. 12 and 24--also holiday video calls--There is a separate process to request visits for holiday: A request to visit on an approved holiday may be submitted seven days prior, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Example: An approved visitor wanting to visit on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 (Christmas Day), would be allowed to request a video visit on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Recognized holidays are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Update on video visiting--this just released by CDCR: "The issue (equipment/training) has been resolved. If someone’s scheduled video visit was cancelled on Nov. 28 or Nov. 29 due to technical difficulties, it will be automatically rescheduled for the weekend of Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 on the same day and time. A confirmation email will be sent to the visitors. We expect to announce today or tomorrow which will be the next institutions to come on board. We are on track to have video capability at all institutions by the end of 2020."

"This just in...." from CDCR--surprise Due to technical issues outside of our control, we will unfortunately be canceling video visiting through this weekend. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, so that those with scheduled visits next week will not be impacted. We will also be rescheduling the visits from this weekend as soon as possible. Please see our https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/visitors/ for updates. We apologize for this inconvenience, and thank you for your patience and understanding.

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