Aaron Hernandez will continue to be held in solitary confinement at the Bristol County Jail for his own good and safety, according to ESPN.
"When somebody with any kind of fame comes in, there are already wise guys who try to improve their own stature by hurting him," Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told ESPN in justifying the former New England Patriots star being locked away in his cell for more than 20 hours each day. "We don't want to have any problems."
Hernandez has been held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction since late last June after being charged with first-degree murder in the execution-style killing of one-time associate Odin Lloyd. The semi-pro football player's bullet-riddled body was found less than a mile from Hernandez's North Attleborough mansion.
"My job is care and custody," Hodgson told ESPN. "First and foremost, we have to be concerned about the safety of the inmate and the officers. I can't put this guy in a vulnerable situation where there are people who would like to prove they're more important."
Hodgson claims the decision to keep Hernandez confined was made when he first arrived at the facility. He is never allowed outside his cell at the same time as other inmates.
"I've spoken to him about it, and he understands it," Hodgson added. "I'm not going to tell you that he enjoys it all the time."
Hodgson added Hernandez is also viewed differently from the other inmates in special management because he is still awaiting trial. Most of the others in the separate unit were in the general population before losing privileges due to bad behavior.
"Of course, we recognize that everyone's innocent until proven guilty," Hodgson said. "But also a judge doesn't feel like you're able to be in the community on bail. I don't make those decisions to send people to our institution, but when they get there, I have a responsibility to make sure they're safe, they're fed."
Hodgson said the decision to separate Hernandez from the general population is reassessed periodically.
"He knows that I'm looking out for his welfare," Hodgson told ESPN. "It's not the ideal situation. It's jail. It's a delicate situation."
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