December 24, 2010

Hope all is well with you all! And Merry Christmas! Please send my best to others (TC, Daryl, David, Victoria, Connie, etc.) Hope all have a Merry Christmas & New Years! I just received about 15 cards/letters yesterday – all wonderful, supportive notes.

I would write or call, but it has been difficult. Call privileges have to be set up well in advance – requiring an issued PIN code, and all phone numbers/full names/addresses & relationships to be approved. We can only have 20 people on our list, originally told "no cell numbers", and we can only modify our list once a month.

Back after my "recreation break". Four of us get let out for 1-2 hours to shower, use phone, play games, and today we swept and mopped both wings common areas, showers & lots of empty cells. I finish my thoughts from above.

So, I did get though to Pili finally 2 days ago. Calling collect – we are expected to get money into an account here to buy phone time and supplies, but most of us arrive without money, since the units tell us it is not on the packing list.

So, no money in my inmate account brings me to the next difficulty. They give you a credit of $16 dollars, of which they already take $5 out for giving us shower shoes, tube of soap and toothpaste, comb, 2 incredibly cheap tiny razors and a tiny toothbrush. With the remaining $11 I had to choose wisely and get supplies to last through into January: 2 rolls of toilet paper, more razors, toothpaste, fingernail & toenail clippers, writing pad and 10 pack stamped envelopes – that was about all I could buy.

[NOTE: TERRY'S PRISON ACCOUNT IS FUNDED AS OF 12/31/2010]

I've written about all I can with my now sore fingers – we have a very short soft plastic, short (about 4") pen to write with. So add a tiny rubber pen to a doctor's handwriting – and it makes for a pretty hard letter to read – I bet! [smiley face]

Lots of thoughts about the trial and treatment after being shackled by ankles and hands cuffs strapped to leather waist band, not sure all that was necessary. Dirty, cold cell at Walter Reed Provost Marshal's building for 2 days and 1 night was pretty poor. I was well into a hunger strike and think that may have expedited my transfer. Not sure ankle & hand cuffs were necessary through the airport, the plane trip either. Fellow inmate that arrived after me with a 10 month sentence for DUI & assault was escorted without cuffs. Oh well!

I have not been allowed any news, TV, newspaper since being shackled after the trial. Hope the world is okay.

I am not sure what others expected, nor do I have any inkling of what is being said now. If nothing else, I am glad that it was a time for many people to converge, meet and carry on this important issue.

Here's to a Merry Christmas & Happy 2011!

Terry