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American Taliban fighter to family: 'I am in safe hands'

In a letter to his parents, Taliban fighter John Walker acknowledges he has caused them "a lot of grief."

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- The parents of John Walker, the American who fought for the Taliban in Afghanistan and is currently being held by U.S. troops there, Tuesday released the first letter they've gotten from their son.

It reads:

"Dear Papa and Mama,

"I apologize for not contacting you in such a long time. I realize this must have caused you a lot of grief. I am currently alive and well in Afghanistan and I am in safe hands. I cannot give you many details about my situation but it would be good to hear from you all."

According to a statement from the family's lawyer, the letter was dictated to an International Red Cross volunteer and dated December 3. The family received a fax of the letter December 11. The poor quality of the fax made some of the words difficult to read.

Walker, 20, is at Camp Rhino, the U.S. Marine forward base in southern Afghanistan. He was discovered after he survived a prison uprising at Mazar-e Sharif, where hundreds of non-Afghan Taliban fighters had been taken prisoner after surrendering at Konduz.

Walker's father, Frank Lindh, has said his son used bad judgment in supporting the Taliban, but "is not a traitor."

The U.S. Justice Department is considering what, if any, charges should be filed against him.