NEW YORK: During his monthlong trial, film producer Harvey Weinstein was surrounded by an expansive, and expensive, entourage of advisers and assistants. He had four lawyers, a jury selection expert, a crisis manager and a spokesman. There was even an employee who made sure his court-ordered ankle monitor was functioning correctly.
But about three weeks ago, well before a jury found Weinstein guilty of two felony sex crimes, another paid professional was brought into his camp: a “prison consultant” named Craig Rothfeld. Rothfeld’s private firm, Inside Outside Ltd, was created to help new inmates understand the details of what he calls “the journey”— the confusing and often frightening passage from living an ordinary life to living behind bars.
Minutes after Weinstein was convicted, the judge in his case revoked his bail and ordered him to be sent at once to jail. But despite the ruling, Weinstein has so far been housed in a prison ward at the Bellevue Hospital Centre, where he has been receiving treatment for chest pains, diabetes and high blood pressure, his spokesman said.
Over the weekend, photos emerged online of Weinstein sitting in what seemed to be a common room at Bellevue, watching TV in an armchair. The images prompted questions about whether the wealthy mogul was getting special treatment. Rothfeld said, “Everyone thinks he has a sweetheart deal, but he doesn’t. He’s in the hospital, but he’s still in a prison cell — a regular cell, with a toilet open for the world to see.”
Weinstein could spend as many as 29 years in prison, and after he is sentenced on March 11 he will no doubt face conditions far less pleasant. Rothfeld said his conversation with Weinstein have focused on getting the producer ready for having his head shaved and wearing handcuffs.
Rothfeld, 49, founded Inside Outside in 2017, after he served two years in prison on charges of defrauding investors in a securities company he owned out of $11 million. “As ashamed and remorseful as I am for what I did. I’m just as proud for making something out of it.” Prison consulting is a relatively rare line of work whose practitioners generally cater to the wealthy. “You’re a therapist, a rabbi, a priest, a marriage counsellor and a big brother,” he said.
But about three weeks ago, well before a jury found Weinstein guilty of two felony sex crimes, another paid professional was brought into his camp: a “prison consultant” named Craig Rothfeld. Rothfeld’s private firm, Inside Outside Ltd, was created to help new inmates understand the details of what he calls “the journey”— the confusing and often frightening passage from living an ordinary life to living behind bars.
Minutes after Weinstein was convicted, the judge in his case revoked his bail and ordered him to be sent at once to jail. But despite the ruling, Weinstein has so far been housed in a prison ward at the Bellevue Hospital Centre, where he has been receiving treatment for chest pains, diabetes and high blood pressure, his spokesman said.
Over the weekend, photos emerged online of Weinstein sitting in what seemed to be a common room at Bellevue, watching TV in an armchair. The images prompted questions about whether the wealthy mogul was getting special treatment. Rothfeld said, “Everyone thinks he has a sweetheart deal, but he doesn’t. He’s in the hospital, but he’s still in a prison cell — a regular cell, with a toilet open for the world to see.”
Weinstein could spend as many as 29 years in prison, and after he is sentenced on March 11 he will no doubt face conditions far less pleasant. Rothfeld said his conversation with Weinstein have focused on getting the producer ready for having his head shaved and wearing handcuffs.
Rothfeld, 49, founded Inside Outside in 2017, after he served two years in prison on charges of defrauding investors in a securities company he owned out of $11 million. “As ashamed and remorseful as I am for what I did. I’m just as proud for making something out of it.” Prison consulting is a relatively rare line of work whose practitioners generally cater to the wealthy. “You’re a therapist, a rabbi, a priest, a marriage counsellor and a big brother,” he said.
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