Tuesday, September 21, 2010

COLTON HARRIS-MOORE MAILROOM

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I'm getting a lot of emails and comments about sending mail to Colt in prison (see a recent comment for his full FDC SeaTac address). The Federal Detention Center where he's being held has strict rules about inmate correspondance. I've already unwittingly fallen afoul of one regulations by sending stamps in a letter. I received a polite form letter back with a check mark on "Stamps" showing my breach of the rules. Other apparently common infractions include sending "Body Hair," "Plant Shavings," Sexually Explicit Photos," and "Electronic Musical Greeting Cards." So let that be a warning.

One regulation I found today by re-reading the inmate handbook is that prisoners can only retain five publications (books, magazines) at any one time. That sucks.

You can read the entire inmate handbook by following the link below to a pdf. It gives you a tiny insight into life inside:

Federal Detention Center Inmate Handbook 2010
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46 comments:

  1. Well shoot. And here I'd been saving my leg hair for him.

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  2. Do you know what happens to the publications over the limit of five? If Colton is getting lots of books, does he have to permanently give up the older ones in order to receive the new ones or can he ask to store them someplace for later? Or to put it another way, are we inundating him with publications he can't keep and that are just clogging up 'the system'

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  3. Are you going to publish your book in other countries, like Serbia for example?

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  4. That's up to the foreign publishers: They're able to arrange the rights to translate the book and release it in each of their countries. So far, publishers in Norway and Italy have done that. More should come onboard once the book is in gallies here in the U.S.

    And Kate, maybe you can keep saving it and eventually make a pillow... or a sofa, depending on how fast it grows.

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  5. Ned, that's a great question. Some prisons I've dealt with have taken the excess books and destroyed them (stating they were a fire hazard). Others have put them into their own libraries and allowed other prisoners to borrow them. I'll try to get an answer from FDC SeaTac.

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  6. I doubt that publishers in Serbia are going to be interested in book since Colt isn't that popular here. But I hope that I could order it somehow, I don't need translation. ( I'm familiar with dictionary )
    Must incoming correspondence have information of a sender ?

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  7. Did you like the Whiskey Bandit there? Maybe Colton's story will eventually get the rest of Europe's attention. But no worries: You'll be able to order the book in English from Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com as soon as it comes out.
    As to correspondance to Colton: Yes, there must be a return address on any mail that is delivered to a US prison.

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  8. Whiskey Bandit was popular in Hungary, so either he wasn't that popular, or I was too much occupied with boys back than. It's the first time I hear about it.
    Thanks for the information about your book, I definitely will get it.

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  9. Oh, yes...It just came to me..
    We were too much worried about you bombing us at the Whiskey Bandit's popularity time..
    But no hard filings...

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  10. Boys -- bombs... same difference. Well, order my book and I'll put in a good word for you at the Pentagon.

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  11. lol
    Thank you, maybe I need it if we come into conflict again

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  12. Now, back to Colt...
    I have one more question and I promise i quit bother you. What music is Colt into?

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. One thing that I read when I was researching sending letters to prisoners is that if it is a multi-page letter, to make sure that you put the person's name and prison ID number on each page, because sometimes when the letters are opened and searched, the pages can get separated. I imagine that the use of staples is frowned upon as well....

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  15. Please ignore this unless you're that one Anonymous commenter it's addressed to (or you're someone else out there that still has some issues about how dare someone actually cover this story).

    To the Anonymous commenter who wrote the “confrontational” post today. You say you’d like to know my personal answers to your questions. Fine. Send me a personal email.

    If you read all the posts and comments I’ve made over the months, I think you’ll find that I’ve answered most of your questions already. Some quick figures, though: I’ve been a professional writer for 25 years, and I’ve now done around 300 interviews on this story (I don’t understand why you kept putting “story” in quotes… Do you not think this is a story?). I’ve talked with friends, family, chasers, supporters, detractors, victims, experts, etc, etc.

    Again the question of am I doing this for money… YES. This is what I do: I write stories (and take photos) to make money to pay my mortgage and feed my family. For the last ten years or so I’ve mainly done stories about traveling to the world’s most beautiful places and interacting with amazing wildlife and having all kinds of adventures. Would I rather be doing those kinds of stories right now instead of getting shit from people who stand on one extreme or the other of this story? Yeah, some days I would really rather be in the jungles of Belize tracking jaguars or in the Maldives swimming amidst a school of sharks.

    Before specializing in travel and adventure, I spent years doing crime stories and war stories, and I have to say that some days I’d also rather be back 20 years ago, surrounded by angry people with guns in Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka or the Guatemalan highlands.

    Why some people seem stuck on the idea that a professional writer would write professionally (that is, to make a living that way) I don’t really understand. I guess since I’m doing a book I’m going to be a target for this. On the one side will be those talking about profiting from crime. Well, I didn’t commit any crimes. On the other side are those who think only Colt should profit from his story. Well, if anything, my book will only make Colt’s story way more valuable when and if he ever decides to tell it himself.

    So YES: I AM GETTING PAID TO WRITE THIS BOOK. Do you get paid to do whatever work you do? I’ve worked an average of 12 hours a day at least six days a week since last October on this and will be working on it at least into next spring. Who would do that without getting paid? Maybe someone independently wealthy, but that ain’t me by a long shot. And I think I’ve ranted this elsewhere, but newspapers, television and magazines make money off the stories they do, including Colt stories. And what are their usual lead stories? War, death, crime, sex, drugs, terrorism… They make money off of that. Gasp. The bigger the body count the better the ratings. And that’s a reflection of what people want to know about (and I know I’ve said somewhere in here before that it’s absolutely necessary especially in a democracy that we have professional journalists doing all of these stories and it’s necessary that newspapers and tv make money so they can pay those journalists).

    And do you really think I’m making money off of this blog? Do you see any ads? Every word I’ve written here has been a word that I’ve not written for a paying customer… With all the time I’ve spent on this blog I could have easily accepted a couple of the assignments I get offered to go to tropical islands and dive the reefs and visit the beach bars. No, I don’t make money off this blog. I do it (not often enough) because there’s a group of people who’ve tuned in and are very interested in this story and how it will all play out. I’m working on this story every day, so when I get the chance I post information and updates on it for those people.

    CONTINUED BELOW...

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  16. CONTINUED...

    I hope this is the last flippin’ time I have to address these things.

    So why am I doing this story at all and a book on it in particular? Because this story came to me. It came to the little island I live on and shook up our entire community. It is by far the biggest story to ever happen here since the Haida came down from the north to slaughter 100 Lummi Indians who were summering on Orcas. If I was living here then as a professional writer in the 1800s, then damn straight I’d be writing a book about that. If I was an epidemiologist living here and suddenly an amazing new disease broke out on the island, I’d probably be interested as both a resident and a doctor and I’d do something about it. If I was a biologist and aliens landed on the island, I’d probably be interested as both a resident and also probably want to study it professionally. I’m a writer, so the biggest story in over a century hits the little island I live on… Yes, I’m interested in it as a resident and then, yeah, I’m interested in it as a writer.

    Once I started looking into the story and realized it wasn’t just another crime saga, then I decided it would be worth spending my time on it. And it turns out to be an important story, a human story (with tragedy and, fortunately, quite a bit of comedy as Colt and a number of other characters — including some of the victims — have real senses of humor) that is allowing me to touch on a lot of important subjects — along with giving me the chance to tell a great crime-adventure story.

    I’m going to try not to get preachy in the book, but eventually this blog is going to start promoting ways to help some of the problems that Colt’s story illuminates. I know that for me, looking deeply into these issues has made me determined to start trying to help with youth issues. You asked what I’m going to get out of it… well, that’s something I’ve already gotten out of it: An education on a range of issues and a determination to do something about them. As for the book, it would be great if the people who read it wind up feeling the same way.

    I hope you found your answers here. If not write me an email; I'll get to it when I can, maybe.

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  17. Good morning, Bob, most of us who follow this story really appreciate all the time, effort, research, hard work, insight, and caring you have put into this compelling story.
    Please don't let trolls, troglodytes, and other snarky and vicious people bother you, because they're definitely NOT worth it, ever!
    You're absolutely right, though, to call them out on their behavior, and let them know how unacceptable it is.
    Any fair-minded person knows there's more than one side to every story, and you're doing a real public service in reporting all sides objectively and thoroughly.
    Like you, I'm hoping people following this story will try to do something positive to help young people in their own communities grow up in healthy and productive ways.
    There are so many good kids out there who don't have a real chance in life without help from the communities they live in. When a child grows up in desperately poor circumstance, without enough to eat, without regular medical care, with parents who use alcohol and drugs, what chance does that child realistically have?
    There's a wise old saying that "it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness".
    If the complainers would simply look around their own communities, they would see many kids who need help and guidance to get along in life and learn how to deal with their struggles in socially acceptable ways.
    Helping these kids would help the complainers themselves become happier people too, and they wouldn't have such an inner need to try to unload their own negativity onto others.

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  18. Thanks for the support! The person who wrote the "confrontational" comment did contact me personally. Once I learned more about her and her connections to the story, I certainly understood where her concerns were coming from. And now I think she understands better what I'm doing. So, happy ending.

    I appreciate your comments about lighting candles for kids, illuminating the issues and challenges faced by many of them. I'll be posting more about that as soon as I can.

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  19. Bob, those of us who do regularly tune in here truly appreciate the time you take to keep us updated and your thoughtful posts and comments. I feel that your blog has helped create a community of like-minded people who want to see Colt get help. Thank you for all you do.

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  20. so, whats the address if we would like to send him mail ?

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  21. FDC SeaTac
    Colton Harris-Moore #83421-004
    PO Box 13900
    Seattle, WA 98198

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  22. dose he respond to the mail? like is he allowed to write letters back? haha :)

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  23. Yes, he is allowed to write letters.

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  24. hey, bob i was wondering if they ever got the information they wanted to get from the devices he threw into the water, i think it was a laptop and a ipod touch? did they find out if he was in contact with anyone or staying with people like his mom had said. are they looking to find those people? did he really have a girlfriend?

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  25. Ah, some of the big questions...

    The FBI -- who has the computer equipment fished from the sandy bottom off Harbour Island -- are being quiet about things. They've already turned down a FOIA request I made on this case. We'll learn more as the deadline for the Federal charges gets closer.

    Colt was definitely in contact with some folks during his run, including by Skype or some similar web-based telephone service.

    That's about all I can say right now.

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  26. Hey, Bob, does Colt get the information about his friend Harley and his sentence?

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  27. I don't know if Colt has heard that Harley Davidson Ironwing was recently sentenced to 18 months. As most of you probably know, Colt's old burglary buddy unsuccessfully tried to steal string cheese from a supermarket. As he tried to flee, a police officer tackled him and sent him flying into an elderly man. Harley pled guilty to assault.

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  28. bob, i have read in some articles that colt doesn't do drugs and would "never touch the stuff" but i have also read in other articles that he stoled beer and food. this confuses me did he really steal beer? and why did he have a gun when he was caught, if he supposedly doesn't like guns?

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  29. Hi,

    Getting a lot of questions lately. All good questions, but many of which I'm going to wait to answer in the book. I don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring their comments, so if you ask a question and I don't answer it here, know that it's something I'm covering in the book.

    As to drugs and beer and guns: There is no evidence I can find that Colt did illegal drugs or abused legal drugs.

    He did take food. He may have taken beer, but that's far from definitive. When police looked at burglaries, the fact that there was missing booze usually led them to other suspects.

    Colt's mom told me and other writers (and she also told a judge and the police) that Colt didn't like guns. However, there are a number of guns now linked to Colt, so whether he "liked" them or not, we know that he carried them.

    There are some very interesting notes about the guns (and other things) he carried that give some insight into the whys. I'd like to save those for the book, though, so that it can all be told in context.

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  30. I think that he had gun just because he was scared. I mean there was a hunt for him going on, so he must protect himself. I didn't know that there was a " number of guns ". Just one thing about the music that's Colt into... Are your answer which is deleted now, true or was it disinformation ? And thank you for all your effort to feed our curiosity. One more - Is there anything that's prohibited to write in a letter? We know about pictures and hair, but is there something that you write that could be considered as contraband?

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  31. Letters to prisoners that say anything about escape or weapons or explosives or things of that nature probably won't make it through. You won't have black helicopters hovering over your house if you write "I hope you escape," but there's a chance they'll throw away your letter.

    More information comes to light about this case every week. The answer I gave you about music came from his mom and was valid for Colt's tastes several years ago. I deleted it because of potential new info from his iTunes purchases.

    I understand people are interested in this story for all kinds of reasons, from concern for the important societal issues to infatuation with Colt and/or what he represents. Just please understand that Colt's favorite color and things like that are pretty far down a long list of questions.

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  32. When Colt's buddy Harley was arrested for stealing a pack of string cheese, he said he hadn't eaten in three days.
    One of the items Colt is alleged to have stolen was bear mace. He had to live and sleep outdoors much of the time, so bears are a real concern, and he needed a way to protect himself.
    We as a society have a real obligation to help kids growing up in our communities who are desperately poor and don't have a real chance in life unless someone helps them. Everyone needs enough to eat and a safe place to live.
    This could also prevent a lot of delinquency and save a lot of taxpayer money.
    Jean Valjean stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, and was pursued by law enforcement forever, in Victor Hugo's novel LES MISERABLES almost two centuries ago.
    When will we ever learn?

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  33. Does colton have any other favorite foods, besides pizza?

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  34. To the above anon:

    Blame the parents of these kids, not society.

    We've already got plenty of homeless shelters for kids that will feed, clothe, and help them make something of their lives. You make it sound as though we just toss them in the sewers like dirty rats. Also have you ever heard of food stamps?

    Colton had plenty of opportunity to live straight, join the Air Force and have a great life. The brains were there...But the parents were not. Dan Quayle was ripped a new one by the press and liberals when he talked about Family Values a number of years back. Now we can see, the mainstream media, lefties, and Hollywood got just what they wanted, a country full of Pam Kohler's.

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  35. Now you guys are just messing with me...

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  36. My, how you don't know that?
    But I got to ask something, can we justify every type of crime with destitution, or our moral principles are subject to change depending of
    heaviness of the crimes, or in this case ,of the perpetrator? I mean would we think the same about someone who commited a homicide or something similar under cover of poor?

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  37. Reasonable, intelligent people recognize the enormous chasm between someone who steals a loaf of bread to feed his family and someone who commits cold-blooded murder.
    We hope the justice system can recognize that chasm too...real justice depends on it.

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  38. But if that someone who stole that loaf of bread, came with gun and end up accidentally killing someone, would your opinion be the same?
    If Colt crash that plane into some house or in park full of kids, would you still manage to find compassion?

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  39. Does anybody have idea how long is Colt going to be in SHU? I read some blogs by former prisoners who spent a part of their sentence in SHU and there is not one good word about it, and I think that being isolated isn't good for him now.

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  40. I love getting updated on Colton. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to keep us all informed. I pray for the best, and hope who ever the jury or judge is, they have half a brain and think with thier hearts. Where was the help at when he was young? Now they want to get involved when he realizes he can not depend on anyone but himself. It seems so black and white to me, I do not know how anyone can wish ill to this boy.

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  41. Hey, Is
    FDC SeaTac
    Colton Harris-Moore #83421-004
    PO Box 13900
    Seattle, WA 98198
    still the valid mailing address for Colt?
    Thanks!!!

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  42. Yes, that's still the information I have. Colt will eventually be moved into the Washington State system and receive a new address, but right now it looks like that won't be until September.

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  43. Wow, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Bob!! I was watching Colts biography on TV last night and I was really hoping that was still his valid address. I'm really glad things are working out with your book. I totally agree about his story being one a classic one. Do you have any new updates to share? I saw during the TV program I was watching, it said he was to appear in court in October 2011, does that date still hold true?
    Thanks again!

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  44. Wow, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Bob!! I was watching Colts biography on TV last night and I was really hoping that was still his valid address. I'm really glad things are working out with your book. I totally agree about his story being one a classic one. Do you have any new updates to share? I saw during the TV program I was watching, it said he was to appear in court in October 2011, does that date still hold true?
    Thanks again!

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  45. Hi Cass,

    Colt will next appear in Island County court to face charges/plead guilty for crimes in several Washington State jurisdictions. Right now it looks like that will happen in September. After that, he'll have the final sentencing resulting from his federal plea deal. He also may have to appear in Wyoming for a couple of felony charges if that prosecutor doesn't agree to have them included in the federal plea deal.

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  46. hi bob, thanks for all the information, but is colton still there ? if not, where is he now ?

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