Interview with Laura D. Frisbee, Author of Family Guide to Visiting California State Prisons

Laura D. Frisbee was born February 25, 1972 in Whittier, Ca.
She grew up in a town called La Habra where President Richard Nixon once had his law office. Attended college at Rio Hondo got a certificate to work for Department of Corrections and attended Police Academy. She is married to Xavier who is currently serving a prison sentence. She has no children but three-razor edge pits named Queen Kong, Bandit and Desi.

What prompted you to write the book "Family Guide to Visiting California State Prisons"

When my husband was at the reception yard in Wasco. I went on line to get some help and did not know where to turn or look. Many times guards gave wrong information or directions, which costed me time, money. It is very hard to get correct information or in contact with someone at prison to answer telephone and your questions. Every time while waiting in visiting lobby I seen families getting turned down by not having correct dress code, lockdowns, minor notary letter/birth certificate, or not being approved. What really made me write the book was when a woman named Arelia took a grey hound bus from Los Angeles to Reno. She got off bus and ended up hitch hiking with her children to Susanville, which is 82 miles north of Reno. One of my friends Brenda saw this woman walking at 6:30 a.m. on a long abanded road to prison. My friend never picks up strangers and felt she better turn back. This what touched my heart and felt there needed to be something families could carry a guide with them on journey or have one handy in case their loved one was transferred.

Do you have any personal experience with visitation in California's prisons?

Yes, my husband has been incarcerated since 1999 and has been to eight different state prisons visiting. Depending how far he is from home I usually go once a month. My experience have been good and bad seen some high profile criminals like Joe Hunt (Billionaire Boys Club), Eric Menendez (Menendez Brothers) while visiting at Sacramento State Prison.

What are some of the topics in your book?

Appeal process, Innocent Projects, Reception center, correspondence schools, Inmate personal needs, Authorized vendors, Sample letters to write to legislators or wardens, Prison activists groups, starting visiting process, Minor notarized forms, Ombudsman office, Transportation to prison by car, plane, train, or bus. List all 33 State prison, Community Correctional Facilities, Fire Camps with valuable information where to line up, hotels, places of interest, and how to get there safe.

What is the worse problems visitors face when visiting a loved one in prison?

The worst thing is to leave your house on this long 10-11 hour journey especially if your loved one is 610 miles one way. Wait in morning for CDCR 1800 hot line visiting information line to change visiting status at any given time. Something happens at prison on your way up there or at breakfast and prison goes on lock-down. Many times, you are unable to see your loved one and your heart drops, kids cry, and you have just wasted a lot of money.

Many families might drive up early and are wearing wrong clothing. Sometimes welcome house will have clothing to wear if your top is to low or you are wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, or something inappropriate officers will send you to change.

When inmates have been on lockdown for a long time. Families will drive up and want to enjoy the whole 6-hour visit especially if they only visit in summer months due to snow or fog conditions. The room gets full and visits are terminated even though you drove over 250 miles.

People often travel a long distance to visit a loved one, does your book offer all the information they should know ahead of time?

Yes, the book is an excellent resource to put in glove box or suitcase. Two of the books, which sold the furthest to families in Bronx New York and South Carolina and bordering states of California. It list hotels address/telephone numbers, prison telephone numbers, CDC rules, notary letter format for visitors, directions, and CDC rules.

Have you written any other books or have plans for future books?

This was my first book and plans to write another book and maybe start a magazine.

Are you available for interviews and book signings?

I am available for interviews and book signings over the telephone or in person.

Do you feel the California prison system needs to be reformed?

Yes, California's prison system needs to be reformed in many areas especially health care, sentence reform, and rehabilitation programs. It starts with our legislators who write these bills and judges who sentences prisoners, Parole Board and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who keeps them during there sentence. Many times these inmates get disciplinary write ups and ended up adding a year to sentence. We the voters need to step up and voice our opinion to our elected officials each time a bill or an election time who need to do a better job. The major problem is legislators continue to make new laws but do not plan for overcrowding or budget cuts.

What are some of the problems in our nation's prison system?

In our nation's prison system, many are overcrowded because many of inmates have substance abuse problems but are thrown in jail with no therapy or treatment. Prisons have become a revolving door many have been incarcerated and unable to find employment, which leads to crime. The prison industry has become a moneymaking system, which makes choices for families from which company handle collect calls, vending machine prices, and special purchase companies.

Where can someone purchase your book?

Family Guide to Visiting California State Prisons can be purchased at my website Calilovepublishing.com, Russo's Bookstore Bakersfield, Skyline Books- Los Angeles, under the bridge Bookstore & Gallery San Pedro, and Barnes and noble.com