As Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon spends his first night in a low-security federal prison for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack, the world got a glimpse into what life will be like for the next four months for the MAGA strategist.
Sam Mangel, Bannon's prison consultant, dropped him off at the facility in Danbury, Connecticut. Mangel told CNN's Kaitlan Collins Monday night on "The Source" that Bannon, along with Mangel and former police commissioner Bernie Kerik, met with a prison captain and lieutenant in what he called a "very civil hand-off."
No handcuffs.
"I think anyone going into prison is going to be scared, is going to be nervous," Mangel said. "Naturally when you have somebody who's used to a lot of press, has a firebrand rhetoric and wants to have the appearance of — a sense of bravado, of being bold — I get it. But as soon as somebody walks through those gates and the sallyport door closes, reality sinks in."
Bannon has a list of things to remember during his stay and must focus on why he's there.
"It's a chance to remove himself from everything that's going on outside," Mangel said.
Bannon will forfeit not only his freedom, but also the internet and many communications; his phone time will be limited, and his emails will be "heavily" monitored.
Also, no business or podcasts while he's in prison, though he could call into a show. Ahead of his surrender, Bannon spent much of his Monday morning livestreaming his popular podcast “War Room” around Danbury, Connecticut.
Should he conduct business while behind bars, Bannon could lose all privileges.
"I don't think it really sunk in until he and I were getting ready to say goodbye," said Mangel.
When Collins asked how Bannon — who was once in the West Wing — handled processing, including strip-searched — Mangel said he was "ready."
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"He was prepared, he went in there, he held his head up high," added Mangel.
Mangel emphasized that the federal prisons bureau can be "very punitive." If someone becomes upset even over little things, he could face discipline.
"It's not your playground. It's somebody else's," he added.
While his punishment won't earn him more time behind bars, it could land him in the "SHU" for the length of his stay, Mangel said, referring to the prison's special housing unit.
Bannon, a U.S. Navy veteran, is serving in the veteran's unit, Mangel said. He'll likely work in the library as an orderly.
"Something that suits his age and what he wants to do," he said, adding that in the prison, Bannon will be a number just like anyone else.
"He's going to stand by his bed and be counted. It's going to be in many ways culture shock. It's a very humbling experience for anyone."
Watch the clip below or at this link.
