Thomas Silverstein

American murderer

Thomas Edward Silverstein (February 4, 1952 – May 11, 2019) was an American convicted murderer. He was in prison since 1977 after being convicted of four separate murders while imprisoned, one of which was overturned.[1]

Thomas Silverstein
Thomas Silverstein
Born(1952-02-04)February 4, 1952
Died (aged 67)
Other namesTerrible Tom, Tommy
Known forFormer leader of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang
Criminal statusDeceased
Criminal chargeMurder, Armed Robbery
PenaltyLife imprisonment (without parole) release date: November 2, 2095

Silverstein was in solitary confinement since 1983, when he killed Corrections Officer Merle Clutts at the Marion Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. He was called a brutal killer by prison officials and a former leader of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang.

Silverstein said that the bad living conditions in prison caused him to kill prison officials. He was held "in a specially designed cell" in what is called "Range 13" at ADX Florence federal penitentiary in Colorado.[2] He was the longest-held prisoner in solitary confinement within the Bureau of Prisons at the time of his death.[3]

Silverstein died of heart failure after having heart surgery on May 11, 2019, after spending 36 years in solitary confinement.[4] He was 67 years old.

References change

  1. Prendergast, Alan (August 16, 2007). "The Caged Life". Denver Westword. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  2. Supermax: A Clean Version Of Hell[permanent dead link] - 60 Minutes - CBS News
  3. ”America’s Most Dangerous Prisoner?” BBC News August 2001
  4. Thomas Silverstein, America's Most Isolated Prisoner, Dead at 67