Thomas Silverstein
Thomas Silverstein spent about 35 years in solitary confinement in the federal prison system, most of it at the Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado. He wrote letters, drew, crocheted, practiced yoga and meditated, and was reportedly working on an autobiographical book when he died. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said he died on May 11, 2019, at a hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, where he had been admitted in February. Jefferson County coroner officials said his death was related to a heart condition and was not being investigated. A defense investigator who corresponded with him said he wrote in March that he had a severe case of flu and could not get out of bed.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Jefferson County coroner's office said his death was related to a heart condition and was not being investigated, while a defense investigator who corresponded with him said he wrote in March that he had a severe case of flu and could not get out of bed.
Reported by: Jefferson County coroner officials (medical examiner or coroner); Federal Bureau of Prisons (the agency that held him); defense investigator who corresponded with him.
News reports (5)
- Aryan Brotherhood member who murdered prison guard and spent 36 years in isolation, dead at 67
- Thomas Silverstein, Inmate With Longest Solitary Confinement, Dies In Colorado
- A federal prisoner believed to have spent the longest time in solitary confinement has died
- Colorado inmate with longest solitary confinement in federal prison dead at 67
- COLORADO ROUNDUP: Inmate held in solitary 35 years dies; city won’t appeal topless ban