There is a new home life for former Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, as the tight end is now living in a small 7-by-10-foot cell in the Bristol County House of Corrections after being arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd and after a safety check he is now in isolation while in lockup.
According to the Boston Globe, Hernandez was moved into solitary confinement after authorities at the Bristol County facility found that it would be too risky to have a high-profile inmate in with the general population. Hernandez originally was housed in the medial unit before being moved and it was determined after a safety assessment that it would be best to keep him in isolation. Officials at the prison said that Hernandez could be a target from the other inmates due to his notoriety and time in the NFL and he will be housed in a Class 2 unit, which gives him some freedom, but not much. Instead of one hour per day, Hernandez is allowed outside for three hours outside of his cell and he also has access to the telephone, a common room and he can add five people to his visitor list.
While the common room does not have a TV, it is an extra space that is not his cell and Hernandez will be in that unit for at least a week before officials review his situation. Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson spoke about Hernandez and how he is adjusting and he said he is doing well in his new situation despite previously living in a mansion and he has been a solid inmate that hasn't made any special requests.
Hernandez could be facing life in prison for the murder and eventually other charges may be leveled against him for a double murder that occurred in downtown Boston last July. The body of Odin Lloyd was found less than a mile from Hernandez's home and he was arrested for the crime last Wednesday and was arraigned on charges of first degree murder. During the court appearance numerous details about the shooting came out, including that Lloyd was shot five times, execution style, that shell casings were found that tied Hernandez to the murder and also video surveillance footage.
Hernandez previously signed a $40 million contract with the Patriots, but following the arrest the team said it was the right move to release him, taking a salary cap hit in the process. Hernandez could end up behind bars for the rest of his life and that obviously would mean the end of any chance at a football career.