Israel’s Katsav Heads to Prison for Rape Conviction

By Haaretz December 7, 2011

Former President Moshe Katsav will enter Ma’asiyahu prison in Ramle on Wednesday to begin serving a seven-year jail term for two counts of rape and other sexual offenses. Katsav must report to the jail by 10 A.M. on Wednesday.

Katsav will enter Ma’asiyahu through the front entrance after the prison service rejected all requests that he be allowed to arrive less conspicuously. The Israel Police which are responsible for security on his arrival, already erected barriers on Tuesday at the site to keep away curiosity-seekers.

After processing formalities are completed, he will be placed in the wing of the facility for religious prisoners.

Initially he will be held in a cell for inmates who are thought to be at risk of suicide. It is under the closer surveillance of his guards and is equipped with two security cameras. The doors to his lavatory and shower are translucent so they don’t obstruct the view of the ex-president.

The prison service decided to allow him to initially share a cell with convicted former government minister Shlomo Benizri. The service also agreed to Benizri’s request that the closed circuit cameras not be in use during daytime hours. The cameras may be turned on when Benizri leaves the cell, however. In addition if prison authorities are concerned that Katsav may do harm to himself, Benizri would be returned to his prior cell and Katsav would be subject to constant surveillance.

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