In an extraordinary legal move from within America's most secure prison, a convicted Cosa Nostra mafioso has formally requested to live with infamous Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. James Sabatino argues that the extreme isolation he has endured for nearly two decades is destroying his mental health and that Guzmán has become a vital lifeline.
The Unlikely Prison Bond
James Sabatino, described by his own legal counsel as "generally considered the most restricted inmate in the United States", is currently serving a 20-year sentence at the notorious ADX Florence facility in Colorado. He was convicted in 2017 for orchestrating a $10 million racketeering scheme from behind bars, leading to a plea deal that imposed severe communication restrictions to prevent further criminal activity.
Both Sabatino and Guzmán are housed in the same hyper-restrictive area of the prison known as "The Suites", part of the Special Housing Unit (SHU) where inmates spend up to 23 hours a day in isolation. It is here, during rare moments of scheduled recreation, that the two high-profile criminals have reportedly formed a bond.
A Desperate Plea for Human Contact
In a motion filed with District Judge Joan Leonard on November 13, Sabatino's lawyer, Israel Encinosa, argued that his client's conditions have caused a significant "deterioration" to his mental health. The legal text states that the extreme isolation "destroys anyone", highlighting the lack of contact with other prisoners as particularly damaging.
The formal request seeks permission for the two men to cohabitate during recreation periods, allowing them to provide mutual support. Encinosa described the proposal as an "act of humility" in the court documents. Currently, their interaction is limited to occasional encounters during weekly sunbathing times, as both men operate under severely restricted communication protocols.
Life in America's 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'
The conditions at ADX Florence are designed to minimise contact. Sabatino is permitted to interact only with his lawyers and, on rare occasions, family members. Guzmán operates under similarly strict rules, with just two of his daughters allowed a weekly visit and one 15-minute phone call.
Speaking to CBS Miami, lawyer Israel Encinosa clarified the unusual request: "The circumstances of these two specific inmates are unique. They are both considered the most restricted inmates in not just the ADX, but in the entire United States." He emphasised that the request would simply allow the men to "walk and talk together, in separate cages, at the same time".
This is not the first time such a request has been made. A similar filing was submitted to Judge Leonard in March of this year, seeking the same recreational arrangement. Encinosa concluded his argument with a poignant reminder: "They are human beings, they may be flawed individuals, but they should be treated as human beings." The outcome of this unprecedented plea remains to be seen.
