Donald Trump is facing possible jail time for allegedly paying “hush money” to a former porn actress in the run-up to the 2016 election among other alleged crimes. Experts have spoken to Daily Express US about what his experience would be like should he be convicted and jailed.
Almost 100 felony criminal charges have been filed against the former president, who is still the presumed nominee to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate again in 2024.
According to legal experts, convictions of willful and/or reckless retention of classified information – of which Trump faces more than 30 charges – frequently result in prison sentences of several years or more.
But this week, Trump, and his legal team, have put forward a case for presidential immunity from prosecution but if the Supreme Court dismisses his immunity claim, the case would continue.
Any sentence over one year stemming from his hush money trial would generally be served in one of the prisons run by New York State’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
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Justie Nicol, the former prosecutor and member of the American Civil Liberties Union, told Daily Express US that the former president would “likely be placed in a protective custody unit rather than having cellmates”.
She said: “This kind of arrangement is standard practice for anyone whose prominent status might pose risks within the general prison population. Protective custody units limit interactions with other inmates and are closely monitored to ensure safety.”
Because of Trump’s notoriety, it is unlikely he would be treated like any other inmate.
Nicol added: “For protection, besides the standard prison security measures, additional precautions like increased surveillance and possibly guards assigned specifically to him would be likely.”
The Secret Service must protect the former president but once incarcerated they would have very little power within the prison system.
The corrections expert went on: “Other safety measures in such scenarios would typically include frequent security checks, controlled access to his unit, and potentially special arrangements for transport to and from appearances, such as trials or medical visits.
“This level of security is aimed at thwarting any potential threats and ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals under incarceration.”
Donald Trump, if found guilty, could be sentenced to a term of probation instead of serving jail time. If during his probation period, he commits any crime, he would be jailed, according to US law.
