Conrad Black: Officially A Jailbird

As previously reported, Conrad Black is now Prisoner 18330-424 of the Coleman Federal Corrections Institute. You see, due to Black’s foreign citizenship he’s viewed as a “criminal alien” — which bars him from Martha Stewart-style prison camps. Instead, he’s being sent to a minimum security prison. Portfolio visited Coleman and found out what Lord Black can look forward to:

Black is said to be quite fit these days, and there’s good news at Coleman on that front: There are aerobics classes, stationary bicycles, a music center with a piano, drums, guitar and accordion, pool tables, boccie ball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and a ping-pong table. The hobby craft center offers beadwork and leatherwork.

Meanwhile, the Silicon Alley Insider is using Black’s incarceration to call for internet access in jail. We’re not opposed to it in theory — but something tells us that the SAI’s Henry Blodget is unaware of the expensive collect call rates that cost the families of American prisoners an average of $3-$5 for a 15 minute telephone call — something that effects rehabillitation rates much more.

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