EX-TREASURER of the PP Luis Bárcenas has turned into something of a celebrity in jail, with fellow inmates asking for his autograph and for envelopes filled with cash, sending up the suspected 'off-the-books' wage top-ups he is accused of having paid to high-level party members for over 10 years.
Bárcenas, who is remanded in custody pending trial as the judge believes there is a risk of his absconding due to the multi-millions he holds in bank accounts abroad, is in Cell Block IV of Madrid's Soto del Real prison, a unit for non-violent, first-time criminals.
He is sharing a cell with the same convict who was Miguel Blesa's room-mate until June 20 when the former Caja Madrid boss was released, having been held in custody over an allegedly-knowing loss-making transaction involving the purchase of a US bank.
Bárcenas is in the same wing as former director of Marsans travel agency, Gerard Díaz Ferrán, but their paths are said to be unlikely to cross.
The former senator, charged not only over the money-in-envelopes scam but also with multi-million tax evasion and corruption, complains that in prison he has to go to bed too early.
Inmates get up at 08.30hrs and have breakfast in the canteen, then usually spend the morning taking part in activities such as yoga, gym or language-learning.
Lunch is at 13.30hrs, after which they return to their cells for a siesta until around 16.30hrs.
Evening meal is at 20.00hrs and lights are out by 21.00hrs, by which time all inmates are obliged to be back in their cells.
Bárcenas says this is far too early, but he has not yet banked on being there in the winter – in the colder months, lights are out at 20.00hrs.
The ex-treasurer's chauffeur has already brought him casual sports clothes, a baseball cap and several tins of Brylcreem.
He is allowed to make up to 10 telephone calls of five minutes each per month, and see a visitor for 40 minutes a week, supervised.
Once or twice a month he will be allowed to see another person in private.
