Thread by @insiderpolitics

Around 40 Capitol riot defendants facing serious charges are held together in a DC jail just a few miles away from the building they were accused of storming.

Here's what it's like inside the "Patriot Wing." 👇

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

The group is housed in a separate section of the sprawling Central Detention Facility, which most call the Correctional Treatment Facility.

But to many of the defendants, their supporters, and even some Republican lawmakers, it's the "Patriot Wing."

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

It houses the defendants facing the most serious accusations from the insurrection.

Some residents are tied to organized extremist groups like the Proud Boys and many are accused of assaulting police officers or carrying weapons on Capitol grounds.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

As the defendants await their trials together, they appear to have formed a tight-knit group, creating nightly rituals and organizing group activities.

Every night at 9 p.m, for example, they stop what they're doing to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

In an October 26 court hearing, attorney Stephen Brennwald recounted hearing the defendants sing their nightly rendition of the national anthem while on the phone with his client, Thomas Sibick.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Cynthia Hughes, who said she speaks to her imprisoned nephew daily, said that many detainees still "feel very strongly about the election" and continue to support Trump, though they are "frustrated" he hasn't sufficiently backed them in return.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

The defendants are assigned a one-man cell but mingle in communal areas.

To stay busy, they organize events, most recently arranging a Halloween DIY craft contest.

They even have their own newsletter, said Richard Barnett, who left the jail in April.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Earlier this month, they got a visit from GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who tweeted this photo from the jail:

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https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1456483873345392640

Several of the defendants have complained about the conditions in the wing.

Some cited threats from guards and standing sewage. Others claimed they were denied the right to conduct religious services.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Defendants have also complained about the food.

A lawyer for Jacob Chansley — the "QAnon Shaman" — said his client lost 20 pounds because he couldn't eat any food that wasn't organic.

A judge granted a request to serve him organic food in the facility.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Proud Boy member Christopher Worrel's attorney claimed jail officials deliberately withheld medical treatment after Worrel was left with a broken wrist for four months, prompting the US Marshals Service to initiate a surprise investigation into the jail.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Greg Ehrie, a vice president of the Anti-Defamation League who worked for the FBI for 22 years, told Insider that out of all the facilities he'd been to, he would describe the DC jail as "an average American facility."

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…

Hughes, meanwhile, worries about how the defendants' lives will look after their trials.

"I mean, how do you go back to the person you were before January 6, 2021?" she said.

businessinsider.com/inside-dc-jail…