An imprisoned member of the Cosa Nostra has made an unconventional request to be housed with the notorious Cartel leader El Chapo in an effort to improve his mental well-being following a period of isolation.
James Sabatino, a convicted conman associated with the Cosa Nostra, who is known as the most restricted inmate in the United States, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for orchestrating a multi-million dollar racketeering operation. As part of his plea agreement, he was subjected to severe communication limitations to curb his criminal activities conducted from inside the prison.
However, Sabatino’s attorneys argue that these restrictions have negatively impacted his mental health and believe that Joaquín Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel, could provide essential support.
Sabatino is currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence in Colorado, where Guzmán is also detained. He has formally requested permission to live alongside Guzmán to alleviate the mental health effects of his prolonged isolation.
Court documents submitted to District Judge Joan Leonard state that Sabatino has endured almost complete isolation for the past two decades at “The Suites,” a highly restrictive Special Housing Unit where inmates spend the majority of their day alone. His legal team argues that this isolation has led to a decline in his mental well-being.
The filings assert that the extreme isolation is detrimental, stating, “The conditions of extreme isolation in which we are, without having contact with other prisoners, destroys anyone.”
Sabatino seeks the court’s approval for him and Guzmán to spend recreational time together to offer each other mutual support and maintain their mental health. According to the motion, this proposal would demonstrate humility on Sabatino’s part and benefit both individuals.
Currently, the two inmates have limited interaction during scheduled outdoor time, with Sabatino only allowed to communicate with lawyers and occasionally with family members due to the terms of his confinement.
Guzmán has similar restrictions, with only two of his daughters permitted to visit him weekly and a single 15-minute phone call. Earlier this year, a request was made to Judge Leonard for the two inmates to be allowed to recreate together in their separate enclosures.
In an interview with CBS Miami, Sabatino’s lawyer emphasized the unique circumstances of the two inmates and advocated for their humane treatment despite their past actions.
“By granting this request, the only change would be that Mr. Guzmán and Mr. Sabatino could recreate in their separate cages simultaneously. Essentially, we are asking for them to be allowed to walk and talk together, albeit in separate enclosures, at the same time,” the lawyer stated.
“They are human beings, flawed as they may be, and they deserve to be treated as such.”