Phil Spector (California Dept. of Corrections / June 10, 2009)
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Phil Spector in Prison
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LOS ANGELES -- Music legend Phil Spector is creating a list of things he wants in his new prison cell that includes a TV, a music player and email access, according to his wife Rachelle.
As a medium-security inmate at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Spector can make some requests for items he wants in his cell.
Spector, 69, was moved Monday to the facility in Corocoran, just south of Fresno, where 6,919 other inmates are housed, according to a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections.
A prison spokesman said Spector is housed in a "sensitive needs" unit designed for inmates who need extra protection.
Those offenders include former gang members, those whose crimes -- such as sexual assault -- make them targets, and high-profile inmates.
Spector was given a single cell with no cellmate.
Prison officials say he will be allowed to have musical instruments in his cell, and inmates in his unit often sing and play music together on the exercise yard, Smith said.
Rachelle Spector says her husband hasn't requested an instrument, and she doubts that he will.
Spector was transferred from the Kern County prison where he underwent orientation and evaluations.
Rachelle said earlier this month that she was hoping he would be assigned to Corcoran, which is closer to the couple's home in Alhambra than many other facilities.
In a statement, she welcomed the transfer from the North Kern State Prison where, she claimed, "Phillip was being treated on a sub-human level."
Spector was mistreated there, she claimed, alleging he was forced to sleep naked on the floor for two nights and to eat out of a bowl with his hands "like a dog."
The prison does not mistreat inmates and the actions described by the Spectors "would be a violation of policies and laws," said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections. However, she said any report of misconduct would be investigated.
"No person, animal or even prisoner deserves to be treated the way my husband was treated at the Kern County facility," Mrs. Spector said.
Spector was sentenced last month to 18 years to life in prison for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.
He is not the first celebrity to be sent to Corcoran State Prison.
Actor's Robert Downey Jr. and Lane Garrison both served time there.
As a medium-security inmate at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Spector can make some requests for items he wants in his cell.
Spector, 69, was moved Monday to the facility in Corocoran, just south of Fresno, where 6,919 other inmates are housed, according to a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections.
A prison spokesman said Spector is housed in a "sensitive needs" unit designed for inmates who need extra protection.
Those offenders include former gang members, those whose crimes -- such as sexual assault -- make them targets, and high-profile inmates.
Spector was given a single cell with no cellmate.
Prison officials say he will be allowed to have musical instruments in his cell, and inmates in his unit often sing and play music together on the exercise yard, Smith said.
Rachelle Spector says her husband hasn't requested an instrument, and she doubts that he will.
Spector was transferred from the Kern County prison where he underwent orientation and evaluations.
Rachelle said earlier this month that she was hoping he would be assigned to Corcoran, which is closer to the couple's home in Alhambra than many other facilities.
In a statement, she welcomed the transfer from the North Kern State Prison where, she claimed, "Phillip was being treated on a sub-human level."
Spector was mistreated there, she claimed, alleging he was forced to sleep naked on the floor for two nights and to eat out of a bowl with his hands "like a dog."
The prison does not mistreat inmates and the actions described by the Spectors "would be a violation of policies and laws," said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections. However, she said any report of misconduct would be investigated.
"No person, animal or even prisoner deserves to be treated the way my husband was treated at the Kern County facility," Mrs. Spector said.
Spector was sentenced last month to 18 years to life in prison for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.
He is not the first celebrity to be sent to Corcoran State Prison.
Actor's Robert Downey Jr. and Lane Garrison both served time there.
Spector's a has been. He should rot in prison with no special privilages for the rest of his days. A god? You're kidding, right?
jC @ 12:38 AM PDT, Jul 4, 2009
Give hime his wig back and tell him to shut up. And his wife too.
Clare @ 1:33 PM PDT, Jul 3, 2009
I guess now he can really have a wall of sound!!! Ha.
lonso @ 6:49 PM PDT, Jul 2, 2009
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