CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

Inside Blago’s New Home: (FCI) Englewood

View Comments
Rod Blagojevich reports this week to FCI Englewood in Colorado. (CBS)

Rod Blagojevich reports this week to FCI Englewood in Colorado. (CBS)

Dana Kozlov

Reporting Dana Kozlov

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS) — On Thursday, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich begins serving his 14-year sentence.

His life shifts to a prison in Littleton, Colo. CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov reports from Denver.

Federal Correctional Institution Englewood is the prison where Blagojevich will surrender in three days. According to Alan Ellis, an attorney who wrote “The Federal Prison Guidebook,” it’s not bad as prisons go.

“It’s a good draw. He hit the inmate lottery in getting there,” Ellis says.

The Level One facility, where Blagojevich will spend most of his 14-year sentence, was built in 1938. As of last week, it housed 978 inmates.

It sits on 320 acres — 40 of those inside the double fences — and is nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills. A federal camp is also on the property.

“It’s a well-run facility,” Ellis says. “It’s been there a long time, the staff’s been there a long time.

Still, it is prison, though not as dangerous as a higher-security prison.

“As somebody once said to me in the bureau, at a low (security prison), there’s a chance of getting punched. At a medium, there’s a chance of getting knifed,” Ellis says.

But some of those prisoners may end up being housed at lower-security facilities in the final months of their sentences, says Dale Deshotel of the Federal Prison Workers Union.

So, how will Blagojevich – the often-outspoken, gregarious former politician – fit in?

“My experience is politicians fit in. They’re people people,” Ellis says.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons will not release any information about Blagojevich, including the hour at which he is supposed to report, until he is an official inmate.

CBS 2′s Dana Kozlov will file reports this week from Colorado in anticipation of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s surrender there.

View Comments
  • German Leprechaun

    Maybe Martha Stewart can help him decorate his cell!! BWA-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

    • THEE Yard Ape

      For a moment I thought that he was sentenced to live in Englewood!!!! That would be punishment enough !!!! LOL !!!

  • LYNDIA

    A GERMAN SHEPARD DOG IS WHAT YOU ARE. EXCUSE ME ALL YOU GOOD SHEPARDS. I HATE TO INCLUDE HIM IN WITH YOU,

    • German Leprechaun

      Ooooh… Lyndia… BABY… talk dirty to me!!

  • ellen

    The heading for this story eludes to photos (for me). It is no big surprise it is minimum security. The guy is a politician not a crack dealer.

    This is such a non-story, so I wonder why an Editor didn’t demand details!!!

  • Pat Cook

    Minimum are the most dangerous prisons. 14 years is hard time. The fodd is terrible and fresh fruits and vegetables are a rarity. This is to much time for a man who did what politicians get paid to do. Your sources are flawed.

    • David Maxwell

      No sir, your sources are flawed. Good grief, they have salad bars at the minimum facilities.

  • Cynthia

    It’s not a bad prison actually for my bro it’s a break from stress out here in the world and has 10 more years to go.

  • jackie

    after all he did gave medical to kids and kids are not left behide remember that. good luck

  • jackie t

    well he gave kids medical and no kid should be left behind. he did do something for our children people.

  • jackie t

    he gave medical too kids no child should be left behind

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau Post Game Show Giveaway May 10, 2013
    Listen to The Score’s Baseball Post Game Show for your chance to win a $100 lodging gift certificate from the Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau!
  • OREO Text-In Giveaway May 6, 2013
    The OREO King Size single serve packs are ideal for on the go snacking and sharing. To celebrate OREO King Size packs, text the keyword “OREO” to 67011 to enter for your chance to win a $250 Visa gift card!
  • Enjoy Golf’s Best Round With GREY GOOSE Vodka May 1, 2013
    Enjoy Golf’s Best Round this season with GREY GOOSE Vodka! Visit your participating retailer today and purchase one 750 mL or larger bottle of GREY GOOSE Vodka to receive one free round of golf!
  • Rivers Casino’s Baseball Fever Giveaway May 1, 2013
    Get Baseball Fever at Rivers Casino Sundays & Tuesdays in May! You could win great prizes and up to $25,000. Plus print out the WILD CARD that can help you win even more!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates