Legal News

Joe Nacchio Reports to FCP Schuylkill

By Ashby Jones

Time has run out for Joe Nacchio. According to the Denver Business Journal, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer declined to overturn lower court rulings that had denied the former Qwest CEO bail, removing the last chance the former Qwest CEO had to keep himself a free man.

According to the story, Nacchio reported to prison just before noon. Nacchio will be sharing a cell with another inmate at a minimum-security federal prison camp, called FCP Schuylkill (pronounced “SKOO-k’ll” for all those not from Philly), at Minersville, Pa. (pictured).

Nacchio has asked the Supreme Court to hear his appeal of his conviction. The Court has not yet said whether or not it will do so.

So what will Nacchio’s days look like? WSJ colleague Dionne Searcey checked in with a spokesman up at the prison, who recently sent along the following tidbits.

Typical Day:

6:15 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Work Call
10:30 a.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Work Call
3:30 p.m. Recall to Housing Units
4:30 p.m. Dinner
11:00 p.m. Lights out

Counts: Inmate counts are formally conducted at least five times a day. Informal counts are also conducted periodically throughout the day in various programs/work areas, and emergency counts may be conducted at any time. Counts are necessary to ensure inmates are in their assigned areas.

Menu: FPC Schuylkill follows a standardized national menu, which includes heart-healthy alternatives to processed or fried foods. Each daily menu meets the new standards for "Dietary Reference Intakes" (formerly known as "Recommended Dietary Allowances"). Following is a sample menu:

Breakfast
Banana
Oatmeal
Bread w/Margarine
Milk
Coffee

Lunch
Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato
Collard Greens
Bread w/Margarine
Fruit
Beverage

Dinner
Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce
Spinach
Bread w/Margarine
Beverage

Work: All sentenced inmates in federal institutions are required to work with the exception of those who for security or medical reasons are unable to do so. An average workday is approximately 7 ½ hours. Most inmates are assigned to an institutional job serving the labor needs of the institution such as food service worker, orderly, plumber, painter or groundskeeper. Inmates in these type of assignments may earn between .12 and .40 per hour. An inmate's specific work assignment is not considered public information.

Inmate Non-Working Hours: During their limited off-hours, inmates may participate in a variety of recreation and education programs. Inmates may also avail themselves of a wide-range of religious programming offered throughout the week. Recreation opportunities at FPC Schuylkill include an outdoor walking track, indoor gymnasium, and a recreation building where inmates can participate in table games, fitness training, and other wellness activities. All inmate programs and activities are designed to encourage inmates to use their limited leisure time productively; adopt a healthier lifestyle; and enhance their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on April 14, 2009 (boomark / email).