Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul, is currently being kept in a private room in Bellevue Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, away from other detainees. While most city detainees with serious medical issues are kept on the 19th floor, Weinstein has been given special treatment with his own phone, bathroom, and TV. He spends his days watching TV and speaking with his attorney, Arthur Aidala. Weinstein was transferred to the hospital following complaints of chest pain and has been diagnosed with pneumonia and other serious medical conditions, according to his legal team.
Despite his condition requiring constant care, there are questions regarding why Weinstein remains in the ICU for an extended period. A former therapist who worked on Rikers has expressed concerns, stating that Weinstein should not be receiving special treatment. The Correctional Health Services, which oversees medical care for incarcerated individuals, has not provided any comments on the matter. Jail officials attempted to move Weinstein to the 19th floor unit but he was returned to his room in the ICU, where he is monitored by four correction officers from the Emergency Service Unit.
The city’s Department of Correction has faced challenges in providing proper medical treatment to detainees with complex medical needs. The Board of Correction has highlighted missed medical visits as a contributing factor in deaths behind bars since Mayor Eric Adams took office. Recent reports have revealed deficiencies in medical care, such as a detainee who died after being without a mattress for 18 hours and receiving one outdoor recreation session in 15 days. The department has been criticized for not providing adequate medical attention to those in custody.
In Weinstein’s case, his situation is similar to that of other detainees in the hospital. He can only eat hospital food, must wear jail-issued clothing, and undergo a screening process for visitors. However, the process is more efficient compared to the lengthy screenings on Rikers Island. Weinstein was previously incarcerated at the Mohawk Correctional Facility before being moved back to city custody after his 2020 rape conviction was overturned by an appeals court. He remains in prison due to a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles and is awaiting a retrial.
The story of Harvey Weinstein’s treatment in Bellevue Hospital sheds light on the challenges faced by the city’s Department of Correction in providing proper medical care to incarcerated individuals. The case highlights discrepancies in the level of care provided to high-profile detainees compared to others in custody. With ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and the prevalence of medical issues behind bars, there is a growing call for reform to address these systemic issues and ensure the well-being of those in custody.
