URGENT UPDATE: A Cosa Nostra mafia boss, James Sabatino, has made a dramatic plea to be allowed to live with notorious drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, better known as El Chapo, in a desperate bid for mental health support while imprisoned. The request comes as both men are housed at the infamous ADX Florence in Colorado, where Sabatino claims the isolation has severely impacted his mental well-being.
Sabatino, who is serving a 20-year sentence for a $10 million racketeering scheme, argues that the extreme restrictions placed on him have led to a “deterioration” of his mental health. His legal team filed documents in federal court on November 13, seeking permission for the two inmates to interact more closely during recreation times.
Currently, both Sabatino and Guzmán are confined to the hyper-restrictive Special Housing Unit (SHU), spending up to 23 hours a day in isolation. Sabatino’s lawyer, Israel Encinosa, emphasized the unique circumstances of both men, stating, “They are both considered the most restricted inmates in not just the ADX, but in the entire United States.”
The motion highlights the severe psychological toll of the isolation, with Sabatino’s lawyers arguing that such conditions “destroy anyone.” The filing requests that they be allowed to “recreate in their enclosed separate cages,” allowing them to walk and talk together during designated times.
Guzmán’s current arrangements mirror those of Sabatino, allowing limited communication with only two daughters per week and a single 15-minute phone call. The proposal is positioned as an “act of humility,” aiming to provide both inmates with mutual support and companionship.
This unprecedented request follows a similar motion filed earlier this year, underscoring the increasing urgency and emotional distress expressed by Sabatino. Speaking to CBS Miami, Encinosa reiterated the humanity of both men, stating, “They are flawed individuals, but they should be treated as human beings.”
As the court deliberates on this unusual request, the implications for both Sabatino and Guzmán could be significant. Their fates—and perhaps their mental health—now rest in the hands of the judicial system, with a decision pending that could alter their incarceration experience.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the court evaluates the emotional and psychological needs of these high-profile inmates.
