Weinstein to be under 'round-the-clock surveillance' at Rikers over fears he might kill himself like Epstein
Prison officials are looking to put Harvey Weinstein under "round-the-clock surveillance" over fears that he could commit suicide behind bars just like Jeffrey Epstein.
Weinstein, 67, was convicted earlier this week of rape and sexual assault following weeks of harrowing and often graphic testimony from a series of accusers who described rapes, forced oral sex, groping, masturbation, and lewd propositions. Following the verdict, the disgraced Hollywood producer was ordered to be held at New York's infamous Rikers Island jail complex until he is sentenced on March 11, and was led out of court in handcuffs by guards who carried him unsteadily under their arms.
He was hospitalized with chest pains en route to the prison, with his attorney Donna Rottuno confirming that he had been admitted to Bellevue Hospital Center after suffering heart palpitations and high blood pressure. TMZ is now reporting that high-ranking officials at NYC's Department of Corrections are anxious that Weinstein could end up with the same fate as Epstein and have formulated a plan to ensure the 67-year-old lives.
One of the possibilities they are considering is housing him in a private section of Rikers Island North Infirmary Command, which consists of two buildings that house sick inmates and those with enough notoriety to require protection from their neighbors.
Once he's checked in, Weinstein will be given an individual cell with round-the-clock surveillance cameras watching his every move. He will also have DOC officials escorting him every time he's out of his cell and walking around. The careful planning and precautions stem from Epstein's death last August. Epstein was awaiting trial on federal charges for sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in NYC when he killed himself inside his cell. Epstein had failed at a suicide attempt just a few weeks before his death but was inexplicably taken off suicide watch and placed in a high-security housing unit where he was not monitored closely enough.
The jail guards on duty, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, are suspected of falsifying log entries from the night and have been charged with falsifying records and conspiracy in connection with Epstein's death. To avoid a repeat of that situation, NYC prison officials are leaving no stone unturned, though they are reportedly keen to ship Weinstein off to some other facility instead of going through the trouble of having another high-profile prisoner on their hands.
Weinstein currently remains in the hospital under police guard at Bellevue Hospital and is facing a minimum sentence of at least five years and a maximum of 29 years in prison.