In a bid to avoid another blunder like in the case of Jeffrey Epstein who allegedly died by suicide in prison, Tyler Robinson, the suspected killer of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, has been housed in a “special housing unit” at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, Utah.
For the unversed, child abuser Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City by hanging himself with a bed sheet. Conspiracy theories claimed that he was murdered but these have not been proved.
Now tagged as inmate No. 460956, Tyler Robinson is under 24×7 surveillance in order prevent him from hurting himself, reported Daily Mail. He is also kept away from other prisoners to avoid any potential altercation. The special housing unit will always be lit, including during daytime, so that the officers can track his moves.
Since he is under suicide watch, Tyler is unlikely to be given regular prison attire. Instead, he will be wearing anti-suicide smocks. Moreover, the walls and floors in the cell would be cushioned to prevent him from banging his head on the surface. He will not be allowed to use pillows, bedsheets and blankets.
The authorities will ensure that there are no sharp cutleries, stationeries, plumbing and mirrors in the cell. The light fixtures will be fitted on the ceilings so that the inmate cannot reach or break them. Food will be provided on soft trays. Toilet paper will be given in limited numbers to prevent potential choking.
“If I was involved with the facility where Mr. Robinson was placed, I would be really, really mindful that the types of things that happened in the Jeffrey Epstein case don’t get repeated,” the outlet quoted Lenard Vare, an expert in jail conditions, as saying.
Since Tyler is behind the bars for the first time, Vare said lack of sleep and privacy could be overwhelming for him. “These first few days are going to be the most severe for him. It’s obviously got to be very shocking as it all sinks in,” he said.
Vare pointed out that the precautions are not just to protect Tyler from self-harm. It is also in brought in place to protect the accused from other inmates and jail staff, who might be motivated to avenge the murder of Charlie Kirk.
“Something bad could happen in a case this high-profile. Somebody could end up taking his life just because they know that will make them famous,” Vare said.
