Philadelphia - Bill Cosby spent his first night in prison alone, in a single cell near the infirmary, as he began his three-to-10-year sentence for sexual assault.
Corrections officials announced on Wednesday that Cosby — now known as Inmate No. NN7687 — will serve his sentence at SCI Phoenix, a new state prison about 20 miles from the gated estate where a jury concluded he drugged and molested a woman in 2004. The $400m lockup opened two months ago and can hold 3 830 inmates.
Cosby will meet with prison medical staff, psychologists and others as the staff assesses his needs. Under prison policy, the 81-year-old comedian will be allowed phone calls and visits and will get a chance to exercise.
COSBY'S INMATE CARD:
The prison's long-term goal is to place Cosby in the general population, officials said.
"We are taking all of the necessary precautions to ensure Mr. Cosby's safety and general welfare in our institution," Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said in a statement.
According to the Department of Corrections website prisoners are offered treatment, educational, vocational and recreational programs.
In addition to his sentence his punishment include a $25 000 fine and the judge declared him a sexually violent predator - which subjects him to monthly counselling for the rest of his life. According to E Online he will be able to complete part of the sex offender counseling as part of his prison sentence.
The news site also obtained a daily schedule which includes: classes, treatment programmes and library time, work, yard time, chapel time and meal time. The former Cosby Show actor will also have access to a barber shop and a gym.
SEE PICTURES INSIDE THE PRISON HERE:
(Photos: AP/Greatstock/Splash)