Mrs. Clinton Tries to Stop Transfer

Associated Press - September 1, 2000

NEW YORK (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton is working to block the transfer of Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of spying for Israel, to a federal prison that his supporters consider dangerous.

"T he issue was brought to Hillary's attention, and she was concerned on humanitarian grounds," said the first lady's Senate campaign spokesman, Howard Wolfson. "She had those concerns conveyed to the appropriate authorities."

Wolfson wouldn't say whom Clinton contacted to discuss transfer or reveal other details.

Pollard, a former Navy analyst, was convicted of espionage in 1985 for giving Israel tens of thousands of top-secret U.S. military documents.

Jewish leaders in New York City told Clinton last week that Pollard was due to be moved from the Butner, N.C., federal prison, where he is serving his life sentence among nonviolent offenders, to a Virginia unit that houses violent inmates.

The first lady was told that inmates in the Virginia unit include white supremacists and that racist incidents are common.

Federal prison officials do not comment on an inmate's housing, so it was unclear when or if the move would take place.

Pollard's status and whether he should be granted clemency has been a topic in the New York Senate race. Neither Clinton nor her Republican opponent, Rep. Rick Lazio, has taken a stand on clemency.