Update 3 - 11/15/07

I received my first letter from Jonathan yesterday. He was in the SHU (special housing unit) for the first week. He was told he might be there for two weeks (because his is a "high profile case"), so he was relieved to get into general population after just one. He was
on 23 hour a day lockdown. This isn't unusual when you first report to prison. He said he was trading his meat for veggies and said that although he was craving protein and the food "sucked" - he wasn't starving and it was a big improvement over Lane County Jail.

He received the books I sent on his 3rd night in the SHU and finished 3 out of 5 in just a couple of days. I sent him a couple more today.

Jonathan said his new accommodations are much more comfortable than the SHU - he raved about the toilet that actually has a seat! The yard has basketball, handball, tennis, a running track and a large weight room. He spent most of his monthly allowance of
commissary already. He bought a radio, headphones, shorts, food, toiletries, stamps and envelopes. And of course, he bought sunglasses. As most of you know, Jonathan wears sunglasses whether it is sunny or not.....but I assume there is no shortage of sun in
Phoenix.

Jonathan said he feels like a kid on the first day of school, but each entry in this 8 page letter seemed to get more upbeat and optimistic. He wrote this letter over a period of 6 days (he couldn't mail it until he got out of the SHU). He said he has been receiving mail,
but I would like to encourage everyone to continue to write and write often. I'm expecting to hear from Jonathan soon, he is just waiting for his phone list to get approved, which he submitted on November 6th.

Best, Tami