Jeffrey Free Luers - Prison Dispatch December 5, 2008

I think that in our society you are supposed to be somewhat settled by 30; have some idea of what you are doing with your life. Perhaps that’s why 30 doesn’t seem like such a big deal to me. I knew what I was doing with my life when I was 20: trying to make this world a better place and remind people what it means to be human living on a living planet.

For me 30 does mean something though. I’m turning 30 in prison and it means that I have now spent nearly all my 20’s locked up.

A month ago I was having a hard time with that. Yet this morning when I woke, it dawned on me that in all the years I’ve spent behind bars I have still managed to follow my life’s plan. I’ve continued to work toward my goals which remain an active force in my own life. These bars have only served to limit my movement and nothing more.

The last years have been difficult without a doubt. Prison is no cake walk. But I’ve seen my way through it and I’m a better man for it. I’m physically and mentally stronger than I was when I began this journey. And I’ve learned valuable lessons that I will be able to share and teach.

My birthday also marks something else, perhaps even more special. I am entering my last year of confinement. Around this time next December I will be released.

I cannot explain adequately the elation I feel knowing that from here on out each day really does bring me one day closer to the last.

Throughout my incarceration I believed my sentence would be reduced from 22 years to something shorter. However, even with that belief after so many years of waiting for my appeal to be delivered I began to accept that fact that I was going to spend two decades in prison. I cannot attempt to explain here what it feels like to accept that, but a part of you dies inside and it is really hard to get that piece back.

I did something this week that I wasn’t sure I’d ever fund myself doing again. I submitted an application for college. Next month I will be filing for financial aid.

Already I have begun taking correspondence courses through Portland State University. It is a good feeling to know that I have already begun preparing for my release and taking steps to ensure my future.

I had hoped to have a firm announcement at this time, but my bankruptcy has not yet been finalized. Some of you may know that at my resentencing I learned that I was $60,000 in debt to Romania Chevrolet. I feel no moral obligation to repay what insurance has already covered. However, Romania has made it clear that they will come after my wages and what little income I have once I am out. As a result, I have tried to settle with them for cents on the dollar, all I can afford. They have refused all offers thus far, electing to take a fraction of my offer through bankruptcy which is where things currently stand.

Already I am beginning to think about how to transition back into a life outside and what that means for my activism. I am excited to begin working toward a career in green building and environmental design, something I certainly wouldn’t have considered one of my goals ten years ago.

Perhaps it is a combination of age and not wanting to struggle the rest of my life, or simply a desire to want to create alternatives rather than fight against symptoms. But, I am looking forward to applying myself to a field in which I believe I can create change.

However, I am also excited about sharing my experience with fellow activists and continuing to help build momentum toward change.

I am not sure how well I will transition from writer to public speaker, but I am going to give it a try. My career as an activist is far from over, but I don’t think I’ll be returning to the front lines anytime soon.

I am also planning on focusing a lot of energy on prisoner support. I have a number of friends behind bars for their own eco-actions, including actions in solidarity with me. As a prisoner I know how important support is. And getting them the support and recognition they deserve is a goal I will be working towards.

In my last year, I still need and am asking for your support. Benefit shows and donations for a release fund would be very helpful. I am fortunate to have a great support system once I hit the streets. Still, I will be starting completely fresh with nothing but the clothes on my back.

I am including an incomplete wish list of items or services I’d like help with. Some of these are needs and some are wants. I must admit it feels really strange to put such a list out, but my friends and supporters have urged me to do it. And it’s kind of fun, too, like being a kid at Yule. Or like being a tree-sitter again.

I cannot thank all of you enough for the love and support you have shown over the years. Both I and my family owe you great big thanks for making this time as easy as possible. My only way of showing that gratitude is by continuing with each and every one of you.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jeffrey Free Luers

Write to:

Jeffrey Luers #13797671
CRCI
9111 NE Sunderland Ave
Portland, OR 97211-1708

Howl For Freedom/
Jeff Luers Support Network
PO Box 3
Eugene, OR 97440

Wish list:

Gift certificates
Cooking ware (pots, pans, dishes, utensils)
Laptop
Tent
Sleeping bag
Hiking backpack
Climbing gear
Tattoo artist (who’d like to donate some ink)

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