DRAPER — Linda Kunz Green faced a bitter chill as she arrived Wednesday at the Utah State Prison.
But the "head wife" of Tom Green, Utah's most famous modern-day polygamist, bore a warm message of support — from herself and four other women considered to be his "spiritual wives."
Clad in a modest blue dress and white lace shirt, Kunz Green, who is 8 months pregnant, said she was nervous, yet excited, to visit Green in prison for the first time since he was incarcerated three months ago.
Her husband gained international notoriety this summer when he was sentenced to five years in prison for his conviction by a 4th District Court jury of four counts of bigamy and one count of criminal nonsupport.
"I feel emotional. I've never been to a prison before," she said. "I don't know, I have a hard time believing they can put a man here, just for being a father and a husband."
Among the five women with whom Green was convicted of cohabitating, Kunz Green is the wife recognized by the state government as his legal spouse, making her the only one approved to visit Green.
According rules at Utah's correctional facilities, the only woman who may visit a married male inmate is his legal wife.
"He cannot be visited by a single woman," said Utah Department of Corrections spokesman Jack Ford. "She is allowed to visit because she is a legal wife . . . a second wife is not a legitimate wife through the eyes of the state of Utah."
Kunz Green said Green is appealing to the Utah Department of Corrections to allow visits from his other "wives" — Shirley Beagley, LeeAnn Beagley, Carrie Bjorkman and Hannah Bjorkman — if accompanied by Kunz Green.
"Hopefully, the others could just rotate, taking turns coming and we can visit together. So, it's under consideration right now," Kunz Green said outside the prison gates.
Ford said Green's request to see the four other women was denied by the prison warden in late October. Green is now taking his appeal to the director of Institutional Operations.
Kunz Green said the family is also counting on Green being able to see his children, two of whom were born after he was jailed.
In late September, Carrie Bjorkman gave birth to Theodore Roosevelt Green, and in October, her sister, Hannah Bjorkman, gave birth to Mary-Jane Green. "He hasn't seen them yet," Kunz Green said.
The new births bring the count of Tom Green's children to 32.
Ford said Green would be allowed to visit the children he has fathered with Kunz Green. The prison is still considering what to do with Tom Green's other children from the other women.
"Right now the prison is just having a hard time deciding how to deal with all of this because I don't think they've ever had a situation like this before," Kunz Green said, laughing.
After spending time talking to her husband through a glass partition, Kunz Green said Green is trying to keep his spirits high.
"He's lost about 20 pounds. His beard is long and he needs a haircut," she said, adding that the first thing both did was shed a few tears, looking at each other through the glass window.
Green, she said, remains hopeful about his appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals and is even attending church services in the prison. He attends the services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In a signed letter released by the prison, Green states that he won't give interviews with news reporters at this time.
"I know that he's received over 50 requests for an interview," Kunz Green said. Green has said he believes it is time to start spreading his message again about polygamy — that is, if the prison will allow it.
"Visiting is a privilege, not a right," Ford said. Prison officials can cut off all visitation for an inmate at any time, he said.
"I'm sure that the prison would not like him to talk to the media, that's just my gut feeling," Kunz Green said.
As for the wives living deep in the west desert of Juab County, Kunz Green said they are "making ends meet."
The family continues to run a magazine telemarketing business, as well as working other jobs. Shirley Beagley is working at the local school as a teacher's aide, and Carrie Bjorkman has applied to be the school cook.
"There's just a loneliness and an emptiness there," she said.
"Traditionally, father takes the children up the canyon and we go get a Christmas tree. Father makes pancakes on Christmas morning," she said. "I guess we'll do all those traditions we did together when he was here, but I guess the older boys would have to fill in for their father's place for now."
Green will be back in court Dec. 13 for oral arguments on a charge of child-rape. Green is accused of fathering a child with Kunz Green when she was 13 years old.
Kunz Green said all Green's wives wait for him to return.
Kunz Green said her husband has a knack for boosting the family's spirits — even from behind prison bars.
Green is allowed three prison visits a month. Kunz Green was told by prison officials that she would be able to come and visit her husband again Thursday.
"We're doing OK. We're surviving, and we'll be here when he comes back," she said. "I think that's probably about the only thing you can say."
E-MAIL: gfattah@desnews.com