Support Erik!

Erik Oseland is going to jail for 90+ days on Wednesday, Oct. 20th. Please support him. His address is his name at the Workhouse, same as Jesse’s was:

Erik Oseland

RCCF
297 Century Ave S.
Maplewood, MN 55119

Here is his support site.
End the Workhouse!

Fall 2010 – two years and counting

Jesse and Rose during a brief Reunion

Hello friends!

I realized it has been a long time since I posted any updates, so here it is. I am still in Minnesota. I have applied to transfer my probation from MN to California, was denied the first time and am waiting for the outcome of the second. We expect to hear by the first week of November, and are hopeful this application goes through. An essential element to a successful transfer is our contacts in California responding actively and determinedly to the CA probation office. I have asked anyone contacted by probation to let me know so we can spread the word. Transferring probation is a tricky matter and it has become apparent they will deny someone for the simplest snag.

I have submitted an appeal of my conviction and it is currently under review in the appellate courts. Three judges have convened to read and discuss the briefs and now have two to three months to submit their decision. There are three possible outcomes (as far as I understand): One – the conviction and case are thrown out completely and I am a free person! Two - the conviction is thrown out and my case is sent back to trial. In re-trial I could not receive new jail time or a harsher sentence, and would have the opportunity to beat the prosecution with all we learned from the first trial. Three – the judges affirm the conviction and nothing changes. I will post their decision when it arrives. Cross your fingers!

So there are the details as I recall them right now. It has been over two years since I was first arrested, over two years since I lived where I want with my family and friends. It has been a year since my sentencing here, last year this time I was in solitary confinement awaiting classification at the Workhouse. There are experiences that linger with me, things I am dealing with stemming from all that has happened in these last two years. I continue to feel that a part of me waits to be back in CA for good before really settling, relaxing, recovering.

I have been struggling with staying in good contact with those I love and apologize to anyone who has felt out of the loop, or overlooked. As I look back I continually feel such immense gratitude for all the support I received. It will always be a source of strength for me, and I hope that all of you feel the same way. If there are any thoughts of stories that come to you as you reflect on the past two years please do not hesitate to get in share them with me.

This has been one hard journey, and though it isn’t over I can’t help but feel victorious. Despite incredible stress and pressure we found compassion, clarity and each other.  Thank you.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind folks of other people currently facing charges and upcoming trials. The RNC 8 are now only 4 but are quickly approaching trial and deserve your support. And some folks in Asheville are facing 10 misdemeanors and three felonies after being arrested on May Day this year. Unfortunately there are many more behind bars or facing them but we are more than capable of taking care of each other. This I know.

Yours as always,

Jesse

From Jesse

Hello friends!

It is true I have been released . It feels really good to be out of jail and able to take care of my own affairs again, not to mention eating good food, seeing friends, sleeping in a real bed, wearing my own clothes, listening to music….. When I turned myself in on February 15th I was totally not prepared for fighting a 16 month prison recommendation, I was under the impression that I would be in jail for about a week. I now feel foolish for underestimating the Criminal Justice System, we should have counted on absurdity. I have been given a 6 month sentence for my first probation violation. To me that is still crazy, but I am very eager to serve it and move on. I have around 25 more days to go and am now serving my time on the Public Service Program (PSP), which is an early release program through the Santa Clara County Department Of Corrections.

I work 7am to 3pm in the Santa Clara County Main Jail Wednesday through Sunday. On this program I get only credit for days I work, and as I have Monday and Tuesdays off I only get 5 days credit every week. If I stay out of custody and finish PSP I will complete my sentence sometime in the second week of May. I may however turn myself back in and finish my time in jail at any time. This is also the repercussion of breaking any of the numerous rules of the program. I work in the jail during the day so I can go home at night – works for me. I was working in the kitchen while in custody before I got out, except the only benefit was an extra lunch and not losing my ‘good time’.

Though I am out of jail I am still very much under the influence of the State. Serving my sentence continues to be my goal, just as it was while in Elmwood. I must finish this task before I can fully return to the rest of my life, and I feel confident in my ability to do it. My California case will be closed, probation terminated upon successful completion of my sentence which is something I look forward to.

I wake up before the sun and commute to the jail most days. I work with other people serving non-jail sentences mostly folding laundry and taking out trash. The majority of the time we are in the basement with no natural light, and we are forced to eat their jail food for lunch (I thought I had gotten away from it for good). But we get to listen to the radio and I have met some nice folks, and I carry my release like an umbrella, nothing quite gets to me.

I am so very very thankful to all who have written me, and donated to my legal fund. I am paying $9 a day to be out of jail (for PSP) as well as about $8 a day on my commute, so your financial support still makes a difference. I hope to write, email and call many familiar faces in the coming month, but for now have been focused on eating well, sleeping enough and making it to work on time. If you wish to write me you can find me at:

P.O. Box 8009 Santa Cruz, CA 95061.

I will be posting again soon, there are a couple friends still in Elmwood who could use some kind words.

With my love,

Jesse

Out of jail!

Hey folks,

Jesse was given the option of serving the rest of his sentence by doing a work program, so he’s currently OUT OF JAIL! This means working full days, 5 days a week, for the sherrif, but he’s not in jail. So, don’t send any letters for Jesse to Elmwood. Thanks for all your support. If you’re itching to write to a prisoner, stop by the Denver Anarchist Black Cross for some ideas and addresses. And, most importantly, keep your eye out for the tensions where you live, search for ways to breathe together, don’t let the sparks of revolt flicker out even if the wind is strong…

31 days and counting

Hello friends,

A bunch of us went to Jesse’s court date today. Though we were hoping that Jesse would come home with us today, that did not happen. For violating his probation in Santa Clara County, Jesse has to stay in jail for 31 more days. (That is not literally what he was sentenced to, but that is how much he will have to serve. The legal math is really confusing and a bit absurd, and if you want to talk about it more, send me a message and I’ll try to explain it to you.)

Though we were all disappointed about not getting to be with Jesse, 31 days isn’t so bad, particularly since the probation department seemed determined to give him a year in prison. Jesse’s lawyer thought that was ridiculous and the judge didn’t really think it was fair either, so this is what we’ve got. Jesse will be transferred to the minimum security part of the jail, where he will have to do work and have a lot of crappy interactions with people that he hasn’t met yet, but he will get to spend more time outside and have contact visits instead of through plexiglass.

Jesse’s lawyer, Dan Mayfield, has been really awesome. He thought this was going to be a much simpler case and was a little surprised that the probation department would try so hard to send our friend to prison. Dan fought really hard for Jesse and worked on his case for free. The only compensation he’s had is the two lattes we bought him. I am going to send Dan a Thank You card, and I hope other people will do the same.
Thanks to everyone who has been supporting Jesse through all of this.
Stay strong and keep fighting!

Court on Wednesday, and Letters!

Dear Friends,

Open court begins at 10:30am on Wednesday, March 24th. This is where we will find out whether Jesse will be released or the amount of time they will have to serve. Court is in the basement, department 24 in the hall of justice located at: 200 w. Hedding in San Jose.

If you have not done so yet, here is another reminder to write a letter for Jesse…info below and again, please get a letter in by tues. march 23rd (to who including lawyer info also below).

there is a closed door meeting on wednesday march 24th morning and then open court after.  it is very important to come to court to support jesse if you can…jesse is in an adversarial and hostile environment and it will be uplifting for him to look see the faces of friends, and hopefully we all can be reunited by the end of the day.

Street Address:
200 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110

From Hwy 880 – Traveling north towards downtown San Jose
From 880, take Highway 280 South to Highway 87/Guadalupe Parkway North, towards the San Jose Airport.
Take the Taylor Street exit, turn right onto Taylor Street. Stay in the far left lane and make a left onto San Pedro Street.
Continue for two blocks on San Pedro Street.
Turn left onto Hedding Street, stay in the far right lane, go half a block and turn right into the Civic Center Parking Garage. Fee required.
The Courthouse is across the street from the garage.
Metered parking is also available on West Hedding Street.

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jesse’s lawyer reported that character letters for jesse are very worthwhile.  here are some general guidelines (please pass on this info to any friends). you can email us letters at supportjesse (at) riseup.net or you can fax letters to jesse’s lawyer (be sure to indicate that the letters are character ref for jesse) fax number:  dan mayfield (408) 287-9857.

suggestions for character letters:

-be positive about jesse, that he has made mistakes in the past but that he wants to move forward, be responsible and be a productive part of his community.
-write about your experiences with jesse as a caring, giving and important part of our community.
-include how he has support in order to move on and better his life.
-regarding jesse’s future plans, please only speak about his goal to get out and able to go back to minneapolis and deal with his probation there.
-do not use this as an opportunity to critique the justice system and justify jesse’s actions (no matter how we really feel about these matters, strategically this would not be beneficial to jesse and may piss off the judge, which could have negative consequences for jesse).
-the judge’s name and title is:  Honorable Socrates Manoukian (you can skip the honorable part if you wish), put this at the beginning of the letter.

Here is a rudimentary guide to writing character letters to judges: http://www.ehow.com/how_4683439_write-letter-judge-before-sentencing.html

thanks!

from the inside out

To Friends. (March 11th)

tonight we’ve been put on lockdown becaquse the guards are short staffed. fuckers. no phone calls from 6 pm on, no showers, no dayroom, no working out, this sucks. i had two phone dates tonight and a plan to workout with my friend J. thursdays here are proving to be the odd days.hey already have canteen coming in, raqzor and clothing exchange but the last two weeks we’ve been put on lockdown. last week a neighboring pod had a mini-riot and fully clad iot-squad troops tromped in, and now this shit. oh well, it’s jail after all. i’m sure i’ll be able to call muy friends tomorrow.

canteen is always a little frenzied, people so eager and excited for sugar, coffee and underneath that just to have things. i order oatmeal, peanut butter, paper and stamps, as well as some soups to trade, cookies to give away, and some dehydrated spicy-refried beans for spreads. my funds are low but I think I may not order anything next week; i don’t really need anything really and I don’t like spending money in this jail economy. (ramen soups are marked up 200%). today my new probation officer came to interview me. he actually was a pretty alright guy and even called my lawyer and invited him to join us. luckily Dan wasn’t very busy and was here within 10 minutes. it was good to talk with both of them, Dan said I did well. The probation officer was writing his report which would recommend a sentence to the prosecution and judge, making the interview impactful. He said multiple times that I had a lot of things going for me, a lot of positive things, but he refrained from making any specific references to a sentence. I left feeling hopeful but still determined to not be too hurt if I have to do more time. I feel good about Dan’s efforts and am glad he is my lawyer. It feels good knowing the new report & recommendation will include my story and the letter you all have written (the probation officer thought highly of them even before reading them). So here i am on bunk 2B, where I’ll be for another couple weeks. I hope I get out soon. <3 JJ. buenos noches.