James Sabatino, a member of the Cosa Nostra, has made an unusual request to reside with the notorious Cartel leader, El Chapo, in an effort to improve his mental well-being following a period of isolation.
Convicted in 2017 for a $10 million racketeering scheme, Sabatino, described by his attorneys as the most restricted inmate in the United States, agreed to communication limitations as part of his plea deal. These restrictions were imposed to prevent further criminal activities by Sabatino, who orchestrated his scheme while incarcerated. However, Sabatino claims that these conditions have negatively impacted his mental health and views Joaquín Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel, as a crucial support system.
Currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence in Colorado, Sabatino has formally requested permission to interact and live alongside Guzmán, who is detained in the same facility. Court documents submitted to District Judge Joan Leonard highlight Sabatino’s prolonged isolation and argue that these conditions have led to a decline in his mental well-being.
According to the filings, the solitary confinement has taken a toll on Sabatino, stating that the extreme isolation is detrimental to anyone’s mental health. Sabatino seeks the court’s approval to engage with Guzmán during recreation time to offer each other mutual support and maintain their mental health.
At present, the two inmates are only allowed occasional interaction during scheduled outdoor time, with Sabatino’s limited contact extending primarily to legal representatives and sporadic family visits. Similarly, Guzmán has restricted access, with only two of his daughters permitted weekly visits and a single 15-minute phone call.
The request for increased interaction follows a similar plea made earlier in the year, aiming for the two inmates to recreate together in their separate enclosures. Attorney Israel Encinosa argues that this arrangement would be an act of compassion and stresses the unique circumstances of the inmates, labeling them as the most restricted individuals not only at ADX but in the entire U.S.
Encinosa emphasized the importance of treating the inmates as human beings, despite their past actions, advocating for their right to socialize within the confines of their incarceration.
