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A Look At Whitey Bulger's Life Behind Bars

PLYMOUTH (CBS) - A long way from the Santa Monica apartment complex that was his home while he hid from law enforcement for 16 years, James "Whitey" Bulger now resides in the "G" Unit at the Plymouth County House of Correction while he awaits his trial.

The facility was built in 1994, and the "G" Unit is really a jail within a jail.

"It's separate, with maximum security, and hold 48 to 56 prisoners," says former Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonough.  "The prisoners are in a cell that's about 10 by 12. The bed and toilet are bolted down, but each cell does have a window."

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.

That window is essentially the prisoner's only view of the outside world.  In the "G" Unit, they are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day, and are allowed in the "day area" for one hour of exercise. This is where Whitey Bulger finds himself, which is a long way from the Santa Monica Promenade.

The former sheriff said it's not likely that Bulger would be transferred to another part of the prison.

"He's been on the lam for 16 years, so there's a need for maximum security."

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