An essay by serving inmate Vaughn Wright describes how even the brief visit of Luigi Mangione to SCI in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania had left an indelible impact on the mindset of the officers and inmates themselves.
Mangione, 26, was recently thrust into national prominence when he was charged with the murder on December 4 of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. His case, now including both state and federal charges, has sparked debate over the US health insurance industry and won him a dubious kind of celebrity.
During his detention at SCI Huntingdon before extradition to New York, Wright wrote that prison officers changed their standard operating procedures due to Mangione’s celebrity status. In an essay published by the Prison Journalism Project on January 23, Wright described a changed guard behaviour that he said offered Mangione preferential treatment in hopes of gaining something from him.
Housed in D Block, typically reserved for death row inmates, Mangione was subject to heightened security. His movements triggered facility-wide lockdowns, halting inmate activities. He was also dressed in a padded “turtle suit” to prevent self-harm, further signaling his unique status.
The media hype surrounding Mangione’s case also spurred inmate activity. A live shot by NewsNation reporter Ashleigh Banfield in front of the prison stirred the inmates to scream from the windows and turn their cell lights on to gain more attention. The commotion resembled the enthusiasm among the people who celebrated after Philadelphia Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl victory.
However, prison authorities acted fast, with the deputy superintendent issuing a warning of disciplinary actions that would include solitary confinement for further outbursts. While light signals stopped, inmates continued to quietly make their presence known during media interviews.
Mangione has since been transferred to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 21.
