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**Included in this message: Update from Jesse, Mail/Phone/Visiting regulations, Letter from Jesse at Alderson.** April 15, 2003 Hi friends and supporters, Last night I received a call from Jesse at about 11:30pm from a Greyhound station somewhere in Virginia, and again this morning at 6:30am at Union Station in DC (en route to Connecticut!). He was to arrive at the women's minimum security Danbury FPC this afternoon by 2:45pm. Jesse was in good spirits to have this unexpected furlough, and is happy that it hasn't affected his release date. His release is set for the morning of July 3 (because federal prisoners aren't released on government holidays, they are released a day early if that is their release date). Jesse talked a lot about the injustice of the prison system, and recounted a story about a woman who died of an aneurysm in Alderson (where he was transferred from) two weeks ago due to the lack of medical attention. He said that no one can be prepared for the injustice of the U.S. prison system, and that he was beyond homesick for the first few days. However, he went outside and did a ritual on Saturday morning which really lifted his spirits, and when we spoke, he said that he thinks he will make it just fine. Jesse re-iterated that his medication had already been ordered at Alderson, so it still seems mistaken that he is being transferred. But it seems fairly certain that he will be receiving his prescription while incarcerated at Danbury! Jesse said that he hasn't been harrassed or mistreated at all (except for the disempowerment of routine counts and strip searches), and he talked a little bit about the dynamics of women being attracted to him because he is transgender, and not knowing the rules of etiquette in prison for how to respond respectfully. He said many people refer to him as he and seem to understand his gender identity. Overall, he seemed happy to be on the road for a night and a day unescorted, and was able to call his parents and a few friends from bus stations. Jesse also said that he's heard good things about Danbury, so he feels prepared and confident about this next step of the journey. He said that he's excited to be going north and will be able to experience spring twice. Again, Jesse's new address is: Jessica Carr (you must write his full legal name) For the people new to the listserv, I have included the following regulations about communication. The only new information is in the end of the Phone section. Mail Phone Visiting Jesse was overwhelmed by the support that he has been receiving from all of you, from your words of support to letters to your presence on this listserve. I also want to send a word of thanks to everyone who has written to me express their support over the past week. It has been difficult, but I feel hopeful that the most confusing time is over. Below is the text of a letter that Jesse sent to me last Tuesday from Alderson. It is outdated now, but very insightful. Take care and stay strong, April 9, 2003 So it's about 3:30pm on Tuesday and I've almost done my first 24 hours here. First of all, I have great news about tranny-stuff: I spoke to the medical director today and it looks like they will let me continue hormone therapy during my time here. They're sending a medical release to Dr. Murphy and once they have my records they'll order Testosterone. I am on the top bunk of cubicle #17 in Range One. There are so many women here in this huge building and another huge one is being built across the yard. I have a lot to say and don't really know where to begin. My bunkmate is probably in her 30s or 40s, here on drug charges. She has 3 children, one a senior in high school and twin boys 12 years old. She originally had a 30 month sentence but got the prison part of it reduced to 13 months. I assume she'll do treatment and have probation and/or a halfway house for the remainder. She is a first-time offender and Latina. Another woman I met is white, uses a walker... I'm not sure what her charges are but she apparently decided to skip her self-report date. Then she was pulled over for a routine traffic thing and led the police on a high speed chase that ended in her crashing into a BP station, exploding four gas pumps, and the car going off a cliff. She went straight from the hospital to here. She told me that she ran into the gas station on purpose, trying to kill herself. She had lost her kids and husband and was running from the law and just wanted it over. Those are the only people's stories I know and at the moment I am mostly overwhelmed w/ figuring out where and what all the buildings are, how to get my phone and commissary card working, and of course an intense and loud inner dialog about what this country will and will not put money into. I think the best short way to describe Alderson is that it is like an inner-city boarding school, and I think that's my main gripe so far - why do we spend money on education, free health care, drug rehab, etc. IN PRISONS but not in the larger community where they could actually PREVENT people from ending up in prison? On the other hand, even here these programs are poorly administered and hard to get into, so it's not all that impressive. Still, I understand why it's considered one of the best prisons in the country. As far as what has happened to me so far, I came in, got searched, got an id card, deposited my money in my comm. account and got an initial ill-fitting uniform, including an itchy bra and cotton underwear, khaki scrubs, a pair of socks, and some canvas shoes. This morning I went to laundry at about 7:15am and received 2 khaki pull-over shirts, 2 brown t-shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 6 pairs socks, 6 pairs of underwear and 3 bras. (Laundry room had "GAP Khakis" ads on the wall - ha!) You'll also be amused to know that I've been issued a winter coat, which fits me, is warm, and which I kind of like! I've worn it every time I've gone outside. I also got a pair of black shoes which make my feet ache. So tomorrow I plan to get a sweatshirt, shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers from the commissary as well as a pad lock, some ibuprofin, paper & pen (these are borrowed), and some toothpaste. They gave a little package w/ soap, shampoo, tooth brush and then this horrible stuff called tooth powder, which basically tastes like eating baking soda, hence the tooth paste purchase. After that (going to laundry), I started my orientation. This morning was health services. We watched a movie about how to not get AIDS, hepatitis, and TB, and what to do if you already have (them). I then had to initial papers a million times confirming I'd seen said movie and indicating my "risk level." I apparently am a risky person since I have had "homosexual contact." Heterosexual contact is not in and of itself a risk factor, unless it is w/ someone who has HIV or w/ multiple partners. So I had to have 3 vials of blood drawn for various tests, gave a urine sample, had my teeth checked, got a few telephone numbers approved, finally got to eat lunch. Then I was given some sort of busywork job that involved walking all over the place in my god-awful shoes picking up cigarette butts. All in all it's been a fun first day : ) I want you to know that I'm doing fine, not feeling depressed or anxious, mostly warm and comfortable and have plenty to eat. No worries, because I'm doing great and Marie is right down the "hall" maybe 10 bunks away from me. I am having some desires to go for a nice walk alone in the country but I guess I can wait till July for that. In struggle, |