In the strict confines of USP Florence, a maximum-security prison located in Florence, Colorado, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev finds himself. This facility, known for its high-security measures, is where Tsarnaev was sentenced to death by a federal jury in May 2023, following his role in the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013. The devastating attacks claimed two lives, including that of an 8-year-old boy, and left over 260 individuals injured.
The Bureau of Prisons is tasked with deciding whether Tsarnaev will serve his time in the Supermax prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, or spend his days on death row until his lengthy appeals process concludes. Supermax, as the nickname suggests, is a notorious home to some of the world's most notorious criminals, including Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing; Zacharias Moussaoui, the 9/11 conspirator; Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber; and Richard Reid, the would-be "shoe bomber."
Despite the grim surroundings and the gravity of his crimes, Tsarnaev has shown a surprising interest in the simple pleasures of life, particularly in fast food. He frequently orders Big Macs and other meals from McDonald's, with the staff affectionately referring to him as "us," short for the collective term "employees."
Though Tsarnaev's legal battle continues, with the possibility of additional appeals on the horizon, his time in prison is likely to span many years, if not decades. If history serves as any indication, the appeals process can be protracted and grueling. In fact, prisoners executed in 2011 had been on death row for an average of 16.5 years before their execution.
[1] According to CNN news, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's legal case is still ongoing, with ongoing legal proceedings and the possibility of additional appeals.
