Yesterday defense attorney John Henry Browne announced that Colton Harris-Moore, who is affectionately known as the "Barefoot Bandit," is currently in solitary confinement in Walla Walla State Penitentiary.
After confirming that Mr. Browne is correct, a Department of Corrections spokesperson stated that high-profile convicts are normally put in solitary confinement for their own protection.
Mr. Browne stated that Colton Harris-Moore has been in solitary confinement since April 11. He neither wants or needs this type of protection. Mr. Browne said that it is "absurd" that a non-violent felon is being housed with the hardened men on death row. He expressed his concern about how solitary confinement might affect his client's mental health. Mr. Browne indicated that he has spoken with officials in Governor Gregoire's office on Colton's behalf.
What should the prison officials do about Colton? Whether or not Mr. Browne wants to admit it, his client isn't just an infamous, modern-day outlaw. The Barefoot Bandit is a celebrity. At 21, Colton Harris-Moore is so well-known that he presents a problem for the Department of Corrections.
Do Walla Walla's inmates want to harm Colton? I'm sure that there are many people who feel envious of him because his two-year crime spree attracted international attention. Twentieth Century Fox movie studio paid $1.3 million for rights to the Barefoot Bandit's life story -- monies which will be used to pay restitution to his victims. Author Bob Friel has already written a book about him. That type of publicity is bound to cause some jealousy.
When a defendant is convicted and sent to prison, people often post comments in the newspaper, cheering that he will soon meet "Bubba" and become a sex slave. They don't realize that if an inmate is raped, injured or dies in prison, he and/or his family may sue the Department of Corrections for failing to protect him. If they win, any monies awarded to them come out of our tax dollars. Years ago, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered by another inmate in a Wisconsin prison. I admit that I felt relieved when I read that Dahmer was dead. I felt that the inmate who killed him had done what the State of Wisconsin should have done. But I don't want Colton to share the same fate because he isn't a monster. A modern-day Robinhood, the Barefoot Bandit stole from the rich and gave to the animal shelter. He only injured his victims' pocketbooks.
I'm sure the Department of Corrections has also taken into consideration the type of crimes that Colton committed. When I was reading about the Barefoot Bandit in the newspaper, I felt that I was reading about a highly trained and talented circus performer -- an escape artist as great as Houdini. He was able to elude law enforcement for two years. Perhaps prison officials still consider him a flight risk. That might explain why the warden is reluctant to put him with the general population.
Like Mr. Browne, I am also concerned about how solitary confinement will affect Colton's health and well-being. I hope that Mr. Browne, Christine Gregoire, and the Department of Corrections find a better way to protect the Barefoot Bandit soon.
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