Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who has escaped prison twice, is complaining his new American jail cell is too “restrictive.” An attorney for El Chapo has complained that his client is in his cell too long during the day and has even been denied water.
The infamous drug lord was extradited to the U.S. in January after a long manhunt that featured a very odd interview with Sean Penn and a wild raid that led to his capture. It was a long time coming for the drug lord. He escaped prison in Mexico twice and authorities were not going to risk it happening a third time. To make sure he didn’t try any funny business, he was sent to Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, a facility which is known for its unsavory conditions. The correctional facility has housed notorious criminals such as mob boss John Gotti and 1993 World Trade Center bombing suspect Ramzi Ahmed Yousef.
El Chapo’s lawyer is trying to force some change by contending his client is in unpleasant conditions according to NBC News:
“Essentially, he’s locked in a cell for 23 hours a day. He’s only permitted out for limited members of our office and one hour of exercise a day — it’s extremely restrictive…I don’t think there’s any thought that if I have the guards give him a glass of water during a three-hour meeting that somehow that’s going to effectuate his escape.”
Given El Chapo’s many escapes in the past, it may be understood if there are stricter conditions this time around. That said, denying the drug lord water is a whole other problem entirely if true. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan said El Chapo’s case is complicated, so he is defying security protocol to the Justice Department and the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
(Via NBC News)