No Country Club For Madoff, Adviser Says

(CBS)  Bernie Madoff's new digs are no country club, but they are a huge improvement from his New York City jail, the disgraced investor's prison consultant says in an exclusive interview with CBS' "The Early Show".

"Prison is prison," Herb Hoelter said Wednesday, "but he'll have a normal routine."

And for those wondering if Madoff is a likely target for prison violence, Hoelter says think again, calling his 150-year sentence a "badge of honor" of sorts that gives him credibility among the inmates.

Hoelter is the co-founder and CEO of the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives, a group that aims to influence sentencing and the eventual destination of criminals.

On Tuesday, Madoff arrived at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina to begin serving his 150-year sentence for a fraud conviction connected to his billion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Until Nov. 14, 2139, Madoff will be known as inmate number 61727-054.

Saying Butner is a "well-run facility," Hoelter said of Madoff "his life dramatically improves" from the conditions at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan, where he was in a cell 23 hours a day. At Butner, Madoff gets 300 minutes a month (15 minutes at a time) of phone privileges. "Same as any inmate," Hoelter said.

Other well-known criminals at Butner include John Rigas, also convicted of fraud; Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of spying for Israel; and Omar Abdel-Rahman, sentenced to life for his role in plotting to blow up the United Nations.

[gosstom]

Ladies and Gentlemen...I hold in my hand tonite's Top 10 List...The topic is: The top 10 things overheard in Bernie Madoff's cell...10. Not tonite, I have a headache...9. You pick up the soap. I picked it up the last 2 times...8. No, I won't dye my hair blond and call myself Monique...7. Your name is Bubba, and you want to do WHAT with my WHAT!...6. No, I don't look good in a bra and panties...5. Billion, Schmillion, what's the difference...4. I'll give you a billion dollars for that candybar...3. That's right punk. I'm in the slammer for 150 years. Want to make something out of it...2. No, I don't think you look like Adam Lambert...and the top thing overheard in Madoff's cell...I get 150 years in this dump and Letterman gets to nail 14 year old Bimbos. There is no God.

[grvmstrj]

So many lives shattered by greed. His sentence etc. can never begin to replace what he has taken from people. Personally I hope "Bubba" gets his butt--literally! HIS STORY IS A TRUE WASTE OF INK and THOUGHTS! Good bye Bernie - enjoy your penthouse cell 4EVER!

[zultar1]

So aparently you people would like to see this man raped and hung. You texans are a goofy bunch. The man stole money...granted lots and lots of money...but lets see it for what it is.

He was tried convicted, and sent to prison. His sentence is for 150 years behind bars. his family is disgraced and his assets were liquidated. In my opinion the justice system worked.

If you want to see rape and death rent a violent anime you freaks.

[Kuei1248]

What about the families that were destroyed by his actions. How do they afford shelter, food and perhaps college education for their kids now that their savings have been wiped out? The savings they spent their entire lives working hard for. What about people who relied on their savings for retirement? Have you taken a good look to see if there are any job openings for them? Who will support these people? Uhhh...me. Out of my tax dollars. America has enough burden. I have no sympathy for those that hoard and steal when they already have more than they could ever possible need.

[ponygal]

150 years may be considered a badge, but not for such a white collar crime, the badge is for kind of criminals that do other crimes. someone will get him

[gost1210]

don't waste media time on Madoff....I don't care where he is staying as long as he is miserable like all the people he made miserable!!!

[iowa0319]

I didn't know there was such a thing as a "prison consultant".

[hennighg]

Oh, yeah, Madoff is going to get hard labor. Ha ha ha. Usually white-collar crimes get a wrist slap. So if Madoff isn't going to a country club, it only means he'll be getting a penthouse soon.

[tx_steve88]

Here's another example of how the justice system can be bought. When a regular person is convicted of felony theft, they are sent to a regular prison. When a rich person is convicted, he gets to go to a place that resembles a college campus. He can't walk freely, he has to sleep in a small bed, what a joke...
If the punishment was consistant and all criminals knew they had to go to standard prisons like anyone else, maybe things would change. He should have been placed in general population in a prison where he wouldn't be a hero..

[frankie2fing]

This is horse hoeuy [sic]... Throw his ash into a medium security federal prison. Why are we denying these 'regular' prisioners the chance to tap some high brow booty....