PE: What sort of things were you into before you were incarcerated?

Well I already covered living in trees. I enjoyed traveling, hopping trains, and squatting. When I could make it to the odd show here and there it was great. But I really spent most of my time living in the woods, learning survival skills and battling for old growth forests. It’s still the best time I’ve ever had, hands down.

PE: What has your time in prison been like?

Prison has been an intense experience. I spent the last 7 years in Oregon’s Max Security prison, OSP (I just recently went minimum because of my resentencing). I’ve seen some awesome solidarity and some gruesome scenes. My friend, Randy, a long time convict, 18 years in, killed his cellie, a child molester. The cops dragged his body out and performed CPR and administered shocks to his heart right in front of my cell. I watched them pronounce him dead and leave his corpse there for eight hours. Randy hung himself a few days later. While there were only a few murders during my stay, violence was an everyday thing. It becomes part of how you carry yourself.

PE: Do you feel like being in prison has changed you? In what ways?

Prison has definitely changed me. I’m callused and hardened. But, I’m a lot the same too. I’m still compassionate and willing to help someone out. I still carry all my same beliefs. I’ve just lived a life that’s pretty unforgiving and you survive or you crack. I chose survival.

PE: What has been the general response to your imprisonment? Do you feel like you were forgotten or did/do you receive a lot of support?

I have received so much amazing support from around the world. From the thousands of letters to solidarity actions and benefits. It has been so heart- warming and humbling. I still get letters from kids to grandparents thanking me or supporting me. I’ve had some of the biggest anarcho-punk bands do shows to raise money for me like OI POLLOI, CONFLICT, and ICONS OF FILTH. I really believe that it was the international outcry that got my sentence reduced from 22 years to ten.

PE: Have you developed any strong relationships with fellow prisoners?

I’m good at making friends and yeah, I have made some really strong life-long friendships in prison. In fact, it is silly to say, but its going to be hard to leave. I have a friend who is like a brother to me and we’ve been through some serious shit together. He is never going home. He’ll never get the chance. Its hard leaving him and other good friends behind.