Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Madoff, Prisoner 61727-054, Arrives At North Carolina Prison
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 14, 2009
Modified Jul 14, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 14, 2009
Modified Jul 14, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Bernard Madoff took a prison bus from the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia to the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina. It's about 45 miles from Raleigh and has a number of different facilities, including a medical center and minimum security area, but Madoff will be in the medium-security lockup.
Madoff's lawyer Ira Sorkin had requested that his 71-year-old client, who started his 150 year sentence, be transferred to a federal prison in Otisville, NY, just 77 miles away from the city; Butner is an 8 hour drive from New York. (The Wall Street Journal says Sorkin did not respond to comment.) A lawyer for John Rigas and his son Tim (the Rigases, who ran Adelphia, were convicted of corporate fraud) said of the prison, "It’s one of the better ones. It’s one of the new ones in the federal system. The staff is very good there. But it’s still prison."
The Bureau of Prisons says Madoff will be assigned to "dormitory-style housing" and, if healthy enough, will be given a job. (Madoff's secretary has said his health seemed to decline before his December 11 arrest.) The AP reports adds that Madoff "will likely have a cell mate who could be a convict sentenced for a similar white-collar crime or something violent," and a prison spokesman said, "I wouldn't describe any of the facilities here as a nice place.
Tagged
150-year sentence
Bernard Madoff
Butner
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .