JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn was sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiracy and wire fraud on Tuesday, News4JAX wanted to know what life will be like for him when he begins his sentence.
The judge is requesting Zahn go to a minimum security prison, but that’s not guaranteed. But if it happens, it may not be as bad of an incarceration as you might think.
The question is where will Zahn end up?
Judge Brian Davis requested Zahn go to a minimum security facility in Pensacola or Montgomery, Alabama but the Federal Bureau of Prisons will have the final say.
Former federal prosecutor Curtis Fallgatter said 90% of the time the bureau goes with the judge’s recommendation, as long as there’s space in the facility.
Fallgatter said a minimum security prison is very different than higher security prisons where violent offenders typically go.
“It’s pretty relaxed. People joke about it being called ‘Club Fed.’ It’s not that nice, obviously, but you get air conditioning,” he said. “It’s still prison, but you get all the amenities that are available to make it as pleasant as possible. And in some cases, the guards aren’t armed and they don’t lock people up at night.”
He said the security sometimes can be so lax that if they’re not locked up at night, inmates can leave as long as they’re back by morning. Fallgatter said the theory is that they are not a threat to society.
“And of course, the investment in the prison in terms of the type of resources depends on is it a dangerous person you’re gonna have to have them locked down you’re gonna have to have more security, that’s different than a white collar person who you’re not really expecting them to commit more crimes, let alone dangerous crimes,” he said.
There have been numerous former public officials charged in public corruption cases that have gone to prison.
News4JAX reached out to two, former city council members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown who are unrelated but both spent time in prison. Each declined to comment on the experience.
Zahn has 90 days to report to prison so attorneys can start the appeals process.