Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, learned his fate on Tuesday after a judge handed down the terms of his sentencing, including the location and the conditions under which he’ll be held.
Breaking News: Paul Manafort, who is serving a federal sentence, will be sent to the Rikers jail in New York, where he is likely to face solitary confinement https://t.co/QuesAhLy3e
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 4, 2019
For numerous federal crimes, including tax and bank fraud as well as conspiracies against the country, Manafort will spend his lengthy sentence at Rikers Island in New York, reportedly one of the most dangerous prisons in the country. He’ll be held in solitary confinement during his stay.
The Daily Beast reports:
‘The brutal prison on New York’s Rikers Island has been home to some of the most notorious criminals in the city’s history, from serial killer David Berkowitz to John Lennon’s murderer, Mark David Chapman—and now it’s set to add Paul Manafort to its rogues gallery. The former Trump campaign chairman—who was sentenced this year to four years in prison—will be transferred there this week from a minimum-security facility in Pennsylvania.’
I see people excited to see Paul Manafort sent to Rikers Island and put in solitary confinement.
1. Rikers Island should be closed down
2. Solitary confinement should be ended.We must be so principled in our calls for reform that we want them even for our enemies.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) June 4, 2019
Manafort’s lawyers are complaining that the sentence is too hard, saying that “he’s not a mob boss” and acting as though only mob bosses are sent to Rikers Island and/or kept in solitary confinement. It’s always an interesting paradox to see what cruel treatment people arbitrarily agree with.
‘A source close to Manafort reportedly told the network Manafort will be kept in solitary confinement, complaining: “He’s not a mob boss.” Manafort’s defense team will appeal the decision, which came from a New York State judge.’
As news spreads that Paul Manafort will be transferred to Rikers Island & held in solitary confinement until trial, I am seeing far too many people rejoicing & issuing praise for "Karma." Rikers Island & Solitary Confinement are both tortures *no one* should be subjected to.
— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) June 4, 2019
However, human rights advocates aren’t compromising their views on Rikers or solitary confinement and argue that accepting it as a legitimate punishment for one person but not others undermines the debate. Although it is true that most white, wealthy people who enjoy a certain amount of privilege rarely suffer the same fate as those who do not have privilege, this is a moot point when supporting inhumane treatment for prisoners.
As Shaun King pointed out:
‘When a man like Paul Manafort gets sent to jail or prison, it gets real easy to see who actually cares about fair sentencing and prison conditions and who doesn’t really care at all. We can’t scream for harshness with Manafort – then leniency with our own. Just be consistent.’
Paul Manafort is reportedly being transferred to Rikers Island https://t.co/Mgnvif3n0Z
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) June 4, 2019
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
