George Santos complains prison conditions are “neglect of human dignity”

Former Congressman George Santos, a New York Republican, complained in a new op-ed that the prison facility where he’s spent just over a month displays “a culture of neglect” and conditions that border on “criminal negligence.”

Newsweek reached out via email to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Fairton Correctional Institution in New Jersey for comment.

Why It Matters

Santos reported to federal custody on July 25 to begin an 87-month sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Bureau of Prisons placed him at the Fairton complex in southern New Jersey.

The first openly gay non-incumbent Republican to be elected to Congress, Santos’ 2022 victory surprised pundits as New York’s 3rd District had been won by President Joe Biden by 8 percentage points two years earlier. But his time in Congress was short-lived due to questions about his character, his past, and later, criminal activity.

In December 2023, as he faced a 23-count federal indictment and intense scrutiny following the issuance of a House Ethics Committee report, the legislative chamber voted 311 to 114 to expel the freshman representative. Almost all Democrats and 105 Republicans backed the successful effort, making the congressman only the sixth in United States history to be expelled from the House of Representatives.

What To Know

Santos, in an opinion column published Thursday by the South Shore Press, began by calling his 87-month sentence issued by a judge in the Eastern District of New York “nearly unbelievable.”

“Let me tell you something: I thought I’d seen government dysfunction before, but never at this level,” Santos wrote. “What I’ve witnessed here is not just inefficiency, it’s outright chaos, sometimes bordering on what I can only describe as criminal negligence. Now, this is not some cash-strapped government agency struggling to keep the lights on.

“No, this is the Bureau of Prisons, one of the most well-funded agencies in our federal government. And how do I know that? Simple. I worked on their budget back when I served in Congress.”

He alleged that he’s observed black mold on ceilings, food “way past its expiration date” being served, broken air conditioning, and unsanitary bathrooms that are “falling apart.”

“It’s meant to be difficult,” he wrote. “But there’s a line, a moral line between punishment and outright neglect of human dignity. When you house 48 men in a dorm with poor air quality due to a broken AC system and black mold on the ceiling…when the bathroom is unsanitary and falling apart…when you serve food that is clearly past its ‘good through’ date, you’re not enforcing justice; you’re stripping people of their basic rights.

“What’s worse, when I’ve pressed administrators for answers, I’ve been met with excuses so flimsy they’d be laughable if they weren’t so insulting to my intelligence,” he added.

Some of those supposed excuses, as he claims, include administrators alluding to “budget cuts.” He also alleged that conditions within the facility have been blamed on President Donald Trump.

What he describes as “unexpected light” comes not from his interaction with guards or fellow inmates, but from the wildlife that surrounds the prison complex. The wooded, “pastoral-like area” he describes is routinely trodden by a litter of cats. Santos said he’s spent “plenty of my commissary money” on tuna to feed them.

“Those cats bring us a sense of normalcy, a moment of tenderness in an otherwise harsh environment,” he wrote. “They’re a blessing, a morale boost, and a reminder that life, in all its forms, finds a way even here.”

He’s also been friendly with frogs and garden snakes.

“They shift my mindset, break the monotony, and remind me that even in confinement, the world outside is still turning,” he concluded. “So yes, this is prison. Yes, it is tough. But it’s also America, and in America, even behind fences, we are supposed to hold ourselves to high standards.

“We must never forget that prisoners are human beings. And we must demand accountability from the agencies that operate in our name and with our tax dollars.”

Earlier this month, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, said she sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging Trump to commute Santos’ sentence, saying on social media: “A 7-year prison sentence for campaign-related charges is excessive, especially when Members of Congress who’ve done far worse still walk free.”

What People Are Saying

Santos on X in July: “Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed. From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days. To my supporters: You made this wild political cabaret worth it. To my critics: Thanks for the free press. I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit. Forever fabulously yours, George”.

IRS: Criminal Investigation, New York Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr., in an April news release: “George Santos blatantly disregarded campaign finance laws and abused the trust of his constituents and contributors. While he may have made a mockery of his position in public office, today’s sentencing is justice for those he has wronged. CI New York proudly worked with the Eastern District of New York, the FBI and Nassau County DA’s office to ensure that Santos faces the consequences of his years of deception.”

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on X in early August 2025: “George Santos has taken responsibility. He’s shown remorse. It’s time to correct this injustice. We must demand equal justice under the law!”

What Happens Next

Santos previously asked for a pardon from President Trump, but it’s unclear whether the president is considering the possibility. Santos, as of now, is expected to serve out the remainder of his 87-month sentence.