Harvey Weinstein calls prison ‘hell’ in interview behind bars
Key Takeaways
- Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein described life at Rikers Island as 'hell'.
- He repeatedly claimed he is innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted.
- He recounted a violent inmate assault and expressed fear of dying behind bars.
Claims of innocence
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist, told The Hollywood Reporter that life in prison is "hell".
“Harvey Weinstein calls prison ‘hell’ in interview behind bars The disgraced mogul claims innocence from Rikers Island, detailing a violent assault by an inmate and his fear of dying in prison Disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein says life in prison is “hell” in an interview where he repeatedly claimed he was not guilty of any crimes”
He repeatedly claimed he was not guilty of any crimes.
Conditions at Rikers Island
Weinstein said he is trapped in his cell at New York’s Rikers Island, with only guards for company.
He said it is "too dangerous" for him to be around other inmates.
Assault and fear of harm
He described feeling "under siege" whenever he goes to the yard.
“Harvey Weinstein calls prison ‘hell’ in interview behind bars The disgraced mogul claims innocence from Rikers Island, detailing a violent assault by an inmate and his fear of dying in prison Disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein says life in prison is “hell” in an interview where he repeatedly claimed he was not guilty of any crimes”
He recounted a violent assault in which another inmate punched him in the face while he was waiting to use the phone, causing him to fall to the floor and bleed heavily.
Context and implications
The interview, published Tuesday, was his first major interview since he was sentenced to prison time for sexual assault.
Weinstein said he once effectively ruled Hollywood before a spectacular fall from grace at the start of the #MeToo movement.
He also expressed a fear of dying in prison.
More on Crime
Ghazali Rams Michigan Synagogue, Killed After Saying He Avenged Relatives in Israeli Strike
11 sources compared
Convicted ISIS Supporter Shoots at Old Dominion University, Kills Army Officer
11 sources compared
Europol and DOJ Freeze $3.4–$3.5M, Dismantle SocksEscort Proxy Network That Compromised 369,000 Devices
13 sources compared
Ayman Ghazali dies of self-inflicted gunshot after attacking Temple Israel in Michigan
36 sources compared