Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday morning, 6 Adar I, will be entering prison to serve a 19-month term. He must be at bloc 10 of Massiyahu Prison by 10:00am. He was convicted in the Holyland real estate case and the Talansky cash envelopes case.

As was reported by YWN-ISRAEL, bloc 10 has been remodeled to accommodate ISA security demands for the former Prime Minister and there will be three inmates in each cell, including Olmert’s, all serving sentences for white collar crimes. This bloc will be much more isolated than others due to the special security considerations for an imprisoner former national leader.

Israel Prison Authority officials report they are ready for all possibilities as they are quite aware this situation addresses a new reality, the imprisonment of a former Prime Minister. Officials add no one wants to see something occur on their watch and therefore, much has been done to accommodate the VIP prisoner and to ensure he completes his sentence without incident.

On Sunday, 5 Adar I, prison service officials report there will be 18 prisoners in bloc 10, three in each of six cells. A former commander of Massiyahu Prison explains all of the persons involved are aware of the mission, reminding the public a former Prime Minister knows many state secrets and this is one of the reasons special security arrangements are essential. It is added that in other blocs of the prison there are 100-120 prisoners and clearly, the small population in Olmert’s bloc will facilitate meeting ISA security demands while he serves his term.

If and when Olmert will wish to work out in the prison’s gym, which is reportedly state-of-the-art, the facility will shut to all other prisoners. Similar concerns will be in place regarding the library and other facilities available to prisoners.

All involved admit the first days will be awkward and difficult but they are confident the Mr. Olmert is likely to be speaking with the social worker a great deal as he is compelled to adjust to a very different environment, one with many restrictions.

Each cell has three beds, a shower, toilet, clothing closet, table, chairs and a TV. The bloc has public phones in the hallway, classrooms, recreational area, visiting area, two areas to meet with an attorney, a room used as a shul, library, sport equipment, dining room, a courtyard, social worker, and the office of the bloc’s commander.

As a new prisoner, Olmert will be permitted to bring with him two towels, four pairs of underwear, four pairs of socks, two sets of training clothing without hoods and unlined, a single blanket cover, a non-feather blanket, two pairs of unlined sport pants, two sheets, a pillowcase, tefilin, a tallis, a prayer rug, religious seforim, hygiene accessories (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and transparent bottles), identity card and NIS 1,500 in cash.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)