The man who allegedly abused young athletes sexually for decades, former United States House Speaker Dennis Hastert, has spent his first day in federal prison.
In a report by ABC News, Hastert will be reporting to a federal prison in southeastern Minnesota for 15 months. He was not convicted for the alleged sexual abuse of at least four boys decades ago when he coached wrestling at a suburban Chicago high school but is serving time for a hush money case. He paid a victim to keep quiet making it a violation of banking laws. The court could not charge him with sexual abuse since the statute of limitations run out.
Hastert is the longest-serving Republican Party speaker and would not have been caught if the FBI did not notice that he has been withdrawing large amounts of money from several banks three years ago. He initially claimed that he was being blackmailed but was busted later. The judge handling the case has called Hastert a "serial child molester."
Although Hastert has been sentenced to 15 months in medical federal prison, he could get out after 12 and a half months since he is in poor health and is old. He will not be staying in a locked cell and his guards will not be armed. He will also have access to recreational activities. It is possible that he will have to work inside such as mopping the floors.
Hastert nearly died due to a blood infection and has suffered a stroke after pleading guilty to the charges against him last October 28. He also had diabetes.
He has reportedly been subjected to the same protocol as other new inmates such as being stripped fully to search for contraband. He used prison clothes and is subjected to psychological and social screening.
Once Hastert will be released from prison, he has to serve two years of supervised release. He would also have to undergo sex-offender treatment. A lie-detector test would also be done to determine how many times did Hastert sexually abused the boys he coached and when exactly.
