# If Trump does go to prison, what would it be like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [October 27, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554 "2019-10-27T17:02:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/1 "2019-10-27T17:02:40Z")
A year or two ago, another Doper had already pointed out that, contrary to the fantasies of many of his opponents, Trump isn’t likely to go to a “drop the soap in the shower” type of prison. It would probably be a Club Fed. There is no precedent for a modern-day US ex-president spending time in prison. Which federal facility usually houses VIP prisoners? Maybe \*\*Little Nemo \*\*or someone else with experience working in the system can elaborate, but I think it’s safe to say the following will happen: [ul] [li]Trump will be in protective custody. No way the guards allow him to get shanked by a cellmate.[/li][li]Speaking of guards, they won’t be Average Joe guards. They’ll probably be a specially selected unit to watch and care for the most famous prisoner in U.S. history. They’d be screened and approved.[/li][li]His commissary budget will be maxed to the brim at all times.[/li][li]He will probably be allowed visitors almost anytime he wants. His lawyers, doctors, etc. will be there.[/li][li]At his age, any lengthy sentence (such as 20+ years) would be meaningless, he wouldn’t live long enough to serve it all. And there’s a good chance he will be allowed periodic release, or released altogether, for medical reasons, as death draws near.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/2 "2019-10-27T17:12:42Z")
What was Rod Blagoevich’s prison time like? How’s Paul Manafort doing? Probably a lot of similarities there. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/3 "2019-10-27T17:51:50Z")
I’m assuming the same as any other rich or powerful person. We’ve had governors, senators, representatives, judges and cabinet officials be convicted of crimes. I’m guessing it’d be the same. With Trump though I dont’ know if they’d put him in a level 1 or 2 prison, or if they’d move him to a supermax. The reality is Trump would have a lot of armed white nationalist militia followers who would probably plot to break him out, and I’m sure that would be considered during sentencing. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/4 "2019-10-27T17:54:55Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > What was Rod Blagoevich’s prison time like? How’s Paul Manafort doing? Probably a lot of similarities there. Manafort was in solitary at Rikers. Rod Blagoevich is here > **[Federal Correctional Institution, Englewood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Correctional_Institution,_Englewood)** > > The Federal Correctional Institution, Englewood (FCI Englewood) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates in Colorado. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility also has an administrative detention center and an adjacent satellite prison camp for minimum-security offenders. > FCI Englewood is located in unincorporated Jefferson County. FCI Englewood is located off of U.S. Route 285 and Kipling ... > [@](#): > > The Federal Correctional Institution, Englewood (FCI Englewood) is a low-security United States federal prison for male inmates in Colorado. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility also has an administrative detention center and an adjacent satellite prison camp for minimum-security offenders. he is serving a 12 year sentence there. Considering all the crimes Trump, his family and his cabinet commit and will likely never be convicted for, its amazing that he got 14 years for selling a senate seat (you have to serve 85% of your sentence, so he will serve 12 years of his 14 year sentence). ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/5 "2019-10-27T18:10:26Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I’m assuming the same as any other rich or powerful person. We’ve had governors, senators, representatives, judges and cabinet officials be convicted of crimes. I’m guessing it’d be the same. > > With Trump though I dont’ know if they’d put him in a level 1 or 2 prison, or if they’d move him to a supermax. The reality is Trump would have a lot of armed white nationalist militia followers who would probably plot to break him out, and I’m sure that would be considered during sentencing. That’s not ‘reality’ that’s just what some white nationalists threaten. So far, all they’ve been interested in is hurting innocent people who can’t fight back, not breaking people out of high-security prisons. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/6 "2019-10-27T18:37:01Z")
Nonetheless, there are multiple armed domestic terrorist groups that would openly discuss breaking Trump out of prison. Which would make putting him in a low security prison sound like a bad idea. Plus because Trump is a sociopath who doesn’t think his actions should have consequences, I think he can be trusted to try to escape. Also he probably has dementia, and my forget why he is in prison and even forget he is in prison. All these things would make putting him in a minimum security prison sound like a bad idea to me. But I have no idea how they determine it. I thought they determined which level of security you got based on how violent you and your crimes are, your escape risk, how much of a target you are from other inmates, etc. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/7 "2019-10-27T18:41:12Z")
It would be fucking unprecedented to have a former US President in jail. I am guessing it would be a very comfortable imprisonment and whatever housing he is given will be unique. The closest example I can think of is the Tower of London, a place with high security, highly secure access and pretty high standard of living. Whatever is done, it will probably not be like it’s been done for other former officials. They’ll pass an Act of Congress if they have to. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/8 "2019-10-27T18:48:02Z")
Guantanamo seems to be the closest thing we have to an Elba, so that gets my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/9 "2019-10-27T19:06:55Z")
Napoleon escaped from Elba ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/10 "2019-10-27T19:30:17Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Guantanamo seems to be the closest thing we have to an Elba, so that gets my vote. I’m not asking for Dope nominations for Trump’s prison (Alcatraz, Florence ADX, etc.) I’m asking where he would _likely_ go. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/11 "2019-10-27T19:37:37Z")
How about [FCI Butner](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Correctional_Complex,_Butner)? Current home if Bernie Madoff. Former home of a few high profile public figures and the best medical facility in the system. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/12 "2019-10-27T19:42:41Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m not asking for Dope nominations for Trump’s prison (Alcatraz, Florence ADX, etc.) I’m asking where he would _likely_ go. If he is charged he will probably be charged by NY state, so he will end up in a NY state prison. ---
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/13 "2019-10-27T19:57:40Z")
What about the Secret Service? Doesn’t he have them for life? Do they go to prison too? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/14 "2019-10-27T20:16:23Z")
I say send him to Mexico, let them pay for it. Wherever he goes, no tweeting. No visitors. No interviews. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/15 "2019-10-27T20:33:34Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I say send him to Mexico, let them pay for it. Wherever he goes, no tweeting. No visitors. No interviews. You’re assuming they want him … But amen to no tweeting. What a relief that will be. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/16 "2019-10-27T20:43:58Z")
I cannot imagine him trying to escape. An escape requires a plan and that seems beyond his ability. I expect they will take his phone away and people will forget about him. He will be in a comfortable facility and the only real restriction will be he cannot leave. But they will need security to protect him and to prevent nuts from trying to free him. Hijack: What will happen if NY indicts him? Say for tax evasion. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/17 "2019-10-27T20:45:21Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m asking where he would _likely_ go. Oh, in that case, it’s easy: Nowhere. There is exactly zero chance that we will ever put a former President in prison, no matter what his crimes. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/18 "2019-10-27T21:42:01Z")
My guess is that if it ever comes to it Trump would serve his sentence under house arrest. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/19 "2019-10-27T22:41:37Z")
Has there ever been a US President who lived abroad after his presidency? If not maybe he could be the first. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554/20 "2019-10-27T22:41:53Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > If he is charged he will probably be charged by NY state, so he will end up in a NY state prison. I do rather like the idea of him winding up upstate somewhere, like near Coxsackie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-does-go-to-prison-what-would-it-be-like/842554.md?page=2)