o.k., which one do you want to hear first?

Let's start with the good one:

Yesterday Chris and I had - for the FIRST time after more than ONE YEAR - the chance to talk privately, that means without an officer listening. After

about 10 rejected applications the (new) judge finally allowed us a visit with only visual surveillance (the officer sitting in another room where he

could watch us through a window, but not hear us). I wonder whether anyone can imagine how this feels ... to regain one of your basic human rights,

whereas normally we don't even notice this right as something valuable. As Chris said "You don't know what you've got until it's gone (or until you

regain it after a long time)"

The bad news is that the same judge rejected to forward my last letter to Chris as it contained about 15 pages in English (mainly email

correspondence) - and the court ordered that Chris is only allowed to receive 2 pages per week if it's not in German language!!! As we don't want to

let the court/judge get away with this obvious discrimination we ask you all to send your comments & replies to Chris by snail mail - it's certainly

easier for the judge to return letters back to me than to people from abroad.

Please take your time and write to Chris - even if it's just a short post card. One of the biggest stress factors for prisoners is that they are cut

off from the "outer world" and lose contact to their friends, partners and family.

here's his address:

Chris Smith

JVA Hebelstrasse

Hermann-Herder-Str. 8b

79104 Freiburg, Germany

thanks & take care

Maggie