September 5 Update

We got to visit Jacob in person today! I am relieved and grateful to be able to report that he is doing well, given the givens. (Exhale) Beth and I arrived promptly at 8 AM at Sheridan Prison Camp, prepared for a whole host of scenarios, not knowing what to expect, on multiple levels. We had dressed in compliance with the written regulations, and had prepared a bag containing food and photographs, imagining we might be waiting for hours.

We did not know whether we would be subjected to a search, we did not know whether we would be made to wait for hours, we did not know whether he would be presented in handcuffs, we did not know whether we would be in his physical presence or separated by glass and/or wire, we had no idea what the level of surveillance would be, and we had no idea how long we would be permitted to visit with him. All of those uncertainties were clarified … this time. Jacob reminded us that each visit could be different. He has learned to be deeply patient. I thought Jacob was patient prior to this experience; my guess is that by the time this has ended, he will have plumbed a whole new level of forbearance…

We entered the visiting area, and presented our documents to the CO (correctional officer) at the front desk. He was friendly and cordial. “What’s in the bag?” “Photographs and food,” I responded. “Nothing from the Outside,” he intoned without malice. I said, “Okay.” And I promptly returned to the car to leave our bag with our phones. When I returned, Beth had already gotten through the metal detector and had chosen a seat at the far corner of the room. I filled out a check-in sheet, handed over my driver’s license, and went through the metal detector. We heard over the loudspeaker: “Attention Hoopes. Come to Visiting.” We held our breath.

The room reminded me of an elementary school gymnasium in dimensions and materials for floor, walls, and furniture (linoleum squares, concrete blocks, and plastic, respectively). It was brightly-lit and not unfriendly, with a literature rack and a table with an assortment of children’s playtoys in seemingly good condition. It had big windows all around, so the natural light illuminated our space and we could see the wide open spaces around us. About a dozen sets of chairs were set up around the room, in anticipation of the family reunions about to happen.

A few minutes later, Jacob appeared at the front of the room, looking radiant. He gave us a little wave. Then he checked in with the CO, and strode across the room to greet us, in his forest green prison scrubs, white Nike running shoes, and no apparent restraints. He came directly over to us and gave Beth an embrace that lasted for a long time. Then it was my turn. I felt the strength and warmth of his body, and held him tight. My son.

We sat in our respective plastic chairs across a little plastic table between us, and re-connected. We visited with him for THREE HOURS. !!?!  The time flew by. Afterwards it felt to Beth and me that it had been only 15 minutes.

His dark green scrubs made his green eyes sparkle. They know his color palette! 😉 His skin was clear, his eyes were bright, his demeanor was relaxed. Jacob was sporting a scruffy beard and mustache. Who knows if he will ever shave or get a haircut?

We talked and talked and talked. Beth and I peppered him with questions about every conceivable aspect of his experience, and he answered openly and clearly, with exactly that quality that Taylor Griggs reported in her gorgeous Portland Mercury article: “a deep, almost intense, conversational presence and a discernible earnestness.” Yes, indeed, we spent three hours with Jacob today, and those qualities were fully on display.

Then we invited him to ask us questions about any aspect of life Outside. He was, of course, eager for news of family and friends. But he was also impressively nonchalant about current events and things over which he has no control. We laughed together about the fact that we on the Outside often delude ourselves into thinking we have more control than we actually do. Touché.

He is making friends, for real. Jacob shared with us about some of the people with whom he is spending quality time, in Horticulture as well as in informal spaces. We heard pieces of their life stories that made me feel deep compassion for each of them, and by association so many other people. He is deeply enjoying and investing in his work in Horticulture. He wrote to us prior to our visit:

“I had another lovely day at Horticulture and have been working to propagate a variety of plants with a variety of methods. My sedge hat has become a topic of much discussion around the dorm, and people keep asking me when I'll start selling them. (Likely never. If I make enough to give away, they would be gifts.) There may be a chance for me to help the Native folks rebuild their willow dome/sweat lodge sometime soon, and I'll keep you all updated with news about that. Very exciting for me.”

Click here to see Jacob’s drawing which is the thumbnail for this post.

All days in 2026 have been adopted! If you are reading this and you have not yet adopted a “day of action,” please consider doing so right now. And if you are a teacher, activist, or artist, please spread the word! Click here to sign up. Please remember that the goal is to take a concrete and specific action in alignment with your values, and then tell Jacob and his family about it. It should be something nonviolent that addresses a dimension of life that is personally meaningful to YOU. The people who have already had their days of action have shared exquisite, personal stories about re-committing to their own understandings of community, spirit, nature, and art. The diversity of activism has been beautiful, sublime, and exquisitely personal. YES!