Phil Spector will be allowed jam sessions with fellow prisoners

 

Phil Spector’s permanent assignment in the state prison system is a massive Central Valley penitentiary with special accommodations for older and disabled inmates. And even behind bars, the man credited with inventing the "Wall of Sound" will still be allowed to create music.  

The 69-year-old record producer, serving at least 19 years for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, arrived Monday at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, corrections officials said.

A prison spokesman said Spector is housed in a medium-security “special 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.

“Mr. Spector is high notoriety,” the spokesman, Stephen Smith, said. Other famous inmates who have passed through the prison include Robert Downey Jr. and “Prison Break” actor Lane Garrison.

Spector will be permitted to have musical instruments in his cell, and inmates in his unit often sing and play music together, Smith said.

“The facility he is on now, there are a bunch of inmates that have instruments and they all play together on the exercise yard,” Smith said.

The prison is also a frequent assignment for elderly and inmates and those in wheelchairs because it is on flat land and has handicapped-accessible areas, Smith said. Spector has health problems, including precancerous tumors in his throat and a tremor that he has said at least one doctor suspected was Parkinson’s disease.

Spector was previously held in the Los Angeles County jail and then an intake center in Kern County, where corrections officials evaluated him and assigned him to the Corcoran facility.

Spector’s wife, Rachelle, welcomed the transfer and said it would be an improvement from the Kern County prison where, she said, she was unable to visit her husband or speak to him by phone. “Anywhere is better than that place,” she said.

The prison, like the entire state system, is seriously overcrowded. Built to accommodate 3,424 inmates, the prison now houses 7,628. A jury convicted Spector in the fatal 2003 shooting of Clarkson, 40.

-- Harriet Ryan

Photo: State of California

Comments

[Brett]

This is jail?

Musical instruments in his cell, allowed to make and play music?

It is amazing how a man who was out drinking and partying all night almost every night until his incarceration all the sudden becomes so ill and feeble once he is behind bars.

Looks like he will be able to continue his partying even in jail.

No wonder so many people in America feel the entire justice system is corrupt and can be bought. Mr. Spector is just another person who is getting preferential treatment because he is white and has money.

Truly sickening.

[Parson Grams]

When will the album be coming out?

[johnny]

I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine,
Since, I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Corcoran Prison,
And time keeps draggin' on,
But that train keeps a-rollin',
On down to San Antone.

Wooooooooooooot!

[Paul]

I am pretty sure this is jail!. Few people were probably happier than I when Phil was convicted. Obviously money does not guarantee anything.

While I would rather he served his sentence in a maximum security prison, this one is overcrowded at over twice its capacity. It will not be a country club for him.

[StoptheInsanity!]

The convict's victim had a far worse sentence. Do not give this man anything that resembles any kind of a normal life. He needs to suffer each and every day for the rest of his life. This is not a band camp for derelicts and drugged out over the hill musicians. Take away any joy he might have for the next 19 years just as he has for the family of his victim. May the face of Lana Clarkson haunt him each time he closes his eyes. Crazy Misogynist Gun Wielding Killer is what he is, now treat him that way!

[Earthman]

What a HOOOOT!
I beg you please, tell me; who Spectors new hair stylist is?

[Elbis, The Filipino Elvis]

Jailhouse rock, indeed!

Say, what did Phil Spector's cellmate say to him?

"Be my little baby..."

[Greg]

Uh Brett, skin color has nothing to do with it. It's all about the Benjamins my friend. Remember OJ???

[Steve]

Interesting to say the least.

[Raven Foster]

I disagree with Brett. Anywhere there is laughter or music being made, people are healthier in their minds and in their bodies. Prison is supposed to be a rehabilatative punishment, not one long debilitating experience. If that were the case, society would have to look forward to released inmates being worse criminals then when they entered the prison system. Making music is not "partying" per se. Making music is what humans beings do. At least allow prisoners their humanity. To strip prison inmates of all humanity is a cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of Amendment VIII of the Constitution of The United States of America.

[terry]

you just have to love how crime pay7s

[Rocco]

Oh, puhhhhllllllleeeeeeeeeze! The guy is locked up in a cell. He can't go anywhere. If he and other inmates get involved in music, what the heck do you care? Some of y'all are just out for blood.

[areyoukiddingme?]

The article stated that " a BUNCH of inmates have musical instruments" and that they play together in the yard. NOT just the once rich old white guy. And Brett, some incarcerated non-white rappers (i would expect with money) recorded and released new tracks and CDs FROM prison. Your beef is tired.

[David]

The man is evil with musical talent. I'm intrigued at hearing his jail-cell music but don't expect me to buy the album.

[JC]

Well, Brett, I guess pulling his fingernails out and hanging him upside down from his thumbs until he's dead would be more your style.

The guy's never getting out. A guitar in his cell isn't the end of jurisprudence as we know it.

[Drew]

So........ after an expensive trial ( or two) and we're stuck paying for this mutt to practice playing instruments!!!! What the for!!!!
Somehow this is suppose to be justice?!?! Please.... this judical system is lunacy.

[duxbellorum]

This is PRISON????

An assured bed to sleep in every night. Three meals a day.
No threat of mugging, drunk drivers, losing your job.
Jamming with your peers, making music day and night.
No threat of losing your house, your income, worried to pay your bills.
Free health care.

I'll take some of that! The line forms behind me, California!

This is SO WRONG...

[In the trenches]

Wow..... Is that Phil, what happen to all that hair? He look like bozoe the clown.

[Crazy Horse]

I'm a retired officer and I don't have a problem with Spector being allowed musical instruments in his cell, and being allowed to play music. He was sentenced to state prison, not jail. He'll most likely never see the light of day again as a free man since he's almost 70. The law mandates that he serve 15 to life and that's what he's doing. He's locked up. He's being punished. Let it go. Our system works just fine. The fact that some people may not agree with the result does not mean justice is not being served.

[steve]

What about the bowling alley?

[BIGTIME]

Gentlemen,

He's in Corcoran. For those that dont know he is being housed with some of the hardest gang drop outs. There are serious gang problems with PC yards. There are tons of solid gangsters/killers who have to be PCed up for stupid reason and are killers at heart.

What you wont hear is how Robert Downey Jr was raped in Corcoran. All the same politics and rackets are now infested in PC yards. Boys he's hit a hard joint. Dont let the paper play this down,.

[billy bouy]

The Guards and other inmates will be extorting money from him like no tommorrow for all the little favors they will all do for him. He has the dough, they all have the need, and it will be one happy get together for all 3 groups involved--him, guards, inmates. He'll probably actually come to like it---maybe it will be the first time he's felt part of something that is "real" and not the phony friends hollywood nonsensical life he has led under the influence for 50 odd years. Careful though Phil, there's always one loon who may want to make a name for himself and off you for the notoriety even in the PC section...recall Dahmer and Father Geoghans recent demise under similiar circumstances.

Personally I hope the dude suffers in immeasurable ways. He took anothers life---he needs to suffer.

[VG]

Yes this is prison- it is sad to think that some people would trade their FREEDOM for three meals a day and a bed to sleep in. Along with that "free meal" comes being told when to wake up, when to sleep, when to eat, and basically having your entire day controlled. And while there aren't the typical "muggings", prisons often have much more worse fate for inmates. There is high level of abuse of prisoners, as well as health problems that often go untreated.

Prison is not a place any of us should be "lining up" to get into, it is certainly no picnic in the park. I'm sure any of the inmates would gladly trade your life situation for theirs.

Yes, they play music- God forbid they actually are allowed activities that don't make them go insane from being a rat in a cage all day long.

[russell]

I'm with you Rocco, the guys on a yard, in prison, gunners on the yard, gunners in the buildings, gunners in the chow hall. High power P.C. is what it should say! He could get stabbed any day any time by anyone on that yard looking for a way off it! You all got it twisted if you think hes got it easy! Let them old dropouts and killers play a little music. It aint hurting anyone, and keeps the Guards safe, why? because the inmates are content with themselfs, not thinking about fighting with other inmates or the Guards!

[JP]

What exactly would you like prisons to be like, folks? Whips and chains every day? We do have standards in America. Locking someone up in solitary confinement for 20 years with only meals and bathroom privileges would be resoundingly unconstitutional and a disgrace to American values (no, not the ones created by Presidents, the real ones). Allowing him this small outlet keeps his mind from rotting and actually saves us money by keeping him occupied and his mind decently sharp (if he gets crazier, we have to treat him, obviously). I'm amazed at how many people want to create a Nazi workcamp in America and LA is supposed to be the NICE city!

[phil]

I wonder if Lana Clarkson has a "special needs coffin"?

[AMM]

@Rocco- Thank you! He's in jail! Who cares if he has instruments and that the other inmates practice music with him. I'd rather they have something constructive to do rather than stewing away in a prison cell all day. We have to remember that some of these people are likely to be released. I don't know about you guys, but I think music is a great way to rehabilitate. If they have no outlet for ANYTHING, they become hardened and are more likely to commit another crime once they are released.

[In the trenches]

Let it be known that phil is not at Disney Land.....Corcoran had a reputation a few years back, the gunmen in the towers were killing inmates at a alarming rate. They were under investigation for those shootings. I'm sure Phil is in the company of like minded killers like himself, don't be surprised if they find phil with a trumbone jammed down his throat. PC yard or not, those are still some of the most hardcore killers in the state of California.

[Tom Tudo]

Hopefully the appeal will come soon, and assuming the systems not totally corrupted then Phil Spector will be a free man again. Hang in there Phil!

[Rootbeer]

Why would anyone believe this hack of a story?

[Hey Paula]

Lana will haut him daily and so will bubba. Don't buy this story. Phil hasn't played an instrument in over 40 yrs. Besides he is parkinson disease. Didn't you all see him in court shaking at the defense table?

Trust me, Phil told me he is happy to be away from his blood sucking wife.

[Friends of Lana Clarkson]

Mrs. Spector...Stop it! What part of "guilty" and 19 years to life" do you not understand?1?//

It's not about you. But then again I guess it is-ACCORDING TO YOU-and your publicist.

[Jue Busch]

The dood-can't run-run, that dude can't run!

whigged, man!
from Germany,
Jue Ra Moan