Mafia Boss Requests to Cohabit with El Chapo for Mental Health

UPDATE: In an unprecedented move, Cosa Nostra mafia boss James Sabatino has formally requested to live with notorious cartel leader Joaquín Guzmán, known as El Chapo, in a bid to improve his deteriorating mental health. This urgent plea was filed in federal court on November 13, as both inmates are held in the hyper-restrictive ADX Florence facility in Colorado.

Sabatino, serving a 20-year sentence for a $10 million racketeering scheme, claims that the isolation has severely impacted his mental well-being. His lawyer argues that Sabatino, considered “the most restricted inmate in the United States,” requires the companionship of Guzmán for psychological support. The motion emphasizes that the extreme isolation conditions, where inmates can spend up to 23 hours a day confined, are damaging to mental health.

Currently, both Sabatino and Guzmán are allowed only limited interaction, primarily during weekly sunbathing sessions. Sabatino’s plea seeks to extend their interaction during recreation times, which his lawyer describes as a necessary “act of humility.” Encinosa stated, “They are human beings, they may be flawed individuals, but they should be treated as human beings.”

The filing highlights that both inmates have spent most of their sentences in near-complete isolation, leading to serious mental health concerns. The document argues that the isolation conditions “destroys anyone,” urging the court to allow them to recreate in separate cages simultaneously to provide mutual support.

This request comes after a similar motion was filed in March, indicating ongoing concerns about the psychological effects of isolation on both men. In a statement to CBS Miami, Encinosa reiterated the uniqueness of their circumstances, stating that granting the request would only allow them to “walk and talk together, in separate cages, at the same time.”

The implications of this request extend beyond individual rights; they raise questions about the treatment of inmates in supermax facilities across the United States. As this story develops, the court’s response could set a precedent for how isolated inmates are treated, particularly in cases involving high-profile offenders.

With Sabatino and Guzmán both being held under extreme conditions, this plea is not just about companionship; it underscores the urgent need for humane treatment within the prison system. The situation is evolving, and updates are expected as the court considers the request.