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July 13, 2006 'Harsh' prison awaits THE last time the NatWest Three landed in Houston they were met by a limousine and whisked to a top hotel. When they return today, Giles Darby, Gary Mulgrew and David Bermingham will be handcuffed to US Marshals and placed in the back of prison vans. The difference five years has made is the collapse of Enron, America's biggest corporate scandal - and crucially the part they allegedly played. In Houston, the home of Enron, the corporate demise was treated as a national disaster, and anyone associated with it vilified. The three suspects will be driven the 21 miles to the FDC - Federal Detention Centre - where the 2,500-plus inmates are housed in cells with one-inch slits for windows. While they await trial, the highlight of their week will be the three 30-minute periods they are allowed on the prison roof. The rest of the time is spent inside. A piercing alarm at 6am will signal the start of the day and they will be sent to bed at 10pm. In contrast to their former high-level earnings, the three will get just 50 cents (25p) per day for performing menial tasks. Houston lawyer Douglas McNabb said: "The regime is hard. They are going to be frightened. This is harsh, serious jail time." Former FDC inmate, writer Vanessa Leggett, said: "Once in that environment, you have to decide, am I going to sink or swim?" | |