James Sabatino, a former Sicilian mafia member, has requested permission to interact with Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán during recreation periods at the federal ADX Florence prison in Colorado. The petition aims to ease the extreme isolation both endure, citing a deterioration in their mental health. This request highlights the harsh conditions in the maximum security facility.
James Sabatino, known for sophisticated frauds and ties to the Cosa Nostra, has been incarcerated at ADX Florence for years. This maximum security prison in Colorado houses some of the most dangerous inmates in the United States, including former Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. Sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for scams involving luxury jewelry and mobile phones, Sabatino shares the same building with Guzmán in a special wing called 'Las Suites', under a strict isolation regime.
The judicial request, filed before Judge Joan Leonard, details how prolonged confinement has led to a 'deterioration' in Sabatino's mental health due to lack of interaction with other inmates. It similarly impacts Guzmán. The defense suggests that during recreation times, both could be in adjacent individual cages, allowing them to see each other and communicate in a limited way. Sabatino argues this would be an 'act of humanity' to preserve their emotional stability and dignity.
Though their cells are separated by four-meter walls in a subterranean level, Sabatino and Guzmán have maintained limited contact by banging on walls and shouting through doors. Sabatino, who speaks little Spanish, has informally translated between Guzmán—who does not speak English well—and prison staff. The facility allows only one monthly family visit and bans direct interactions, with cells offering just a sky view as an outside connection.
This petition reignites discussions on psychological conditions in supermax prisons, where extreme isolation is standard to prevent escapes or criminal communications.