George Santos wants to use his newfound freedom to reform prisons

October 19, 2025

George Santos, the disgraced former Republican Representative who was recently released from prison after a Trump commutation, has announced plans to focus on prison reform following his 84-day incarceration experience. Santos described federal prison conditions as "dehumanizing" and "humbling," citing problems like black mold, broken air conditioning, and poor construction at FCI Fairton in New Jersey. In interviews with The Washington Post and CNN, Santos stated he has spoken with President Trump about his prison reform mission and has no interest in returning to politics for at least a decade.

Who is affected

Former prisoners and current inmates in the federal prison system
George Santos himself
Federal prison administrators and staff
Families of incarcerated individuals

What action is being taken

Santos is speaking publicly about prison conditions through media interviews
Santos is writing columns about the prison system's problems for The South Shore Press
Santos has communicated with President Trump about his prison reform mission
The Bureau of Prisons is unable to respond to media inquiries due to the ongoing government shutdown

Why it matters

Santos' firsthand experience highlights potentially dangerous conditions in federal prisons including mold, heat exposure, and structural issues
A high-profile former congressman focusing on prison reform could bring attention to systemic issues in the penal system
Santos' commutation by President Trump after only 84 days of a seven-year sentence demonstrates the power of presidential clemency
The government shutdown is impacting the ability of federal agencies like the Bureau of Prisons to address public concerns

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC