Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 15 years as he tells court he is 'treated like an animal or less'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Harvey Weinstein will spend another 15 years behind bars after a New York judge, on Wednesday, September 23, sentenced the former Hollywood producer for the assault of former Project Runway assistant Miriam Haley.
But before the sentence was handed down, Weinstein used the courtroom to describe his life in custody, telling the judge he was “treated like an animal or less” and asking for mercy.
The 74-year-old also apologized for his actions and said he regretted what he had done, while asking the court to consider what he described as harsh conditions inside prison.
"I live with many regrets, and sincerely apologize for my actions." Weinstein says he does have remorse for Haley.
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
Weinstein says he is allowed outside for only one hour a day, is “treated like an animal or less” and is chained to his cell. He said his showers are at freezing…
Harvey Weinstein begs for mercy
Weinstein entered the courtroom in a wrinkled navy suit and maroon tie and greeted Judge Curtis Farber before addressing the court.
“I am not a perfect person,” Weinstein said. “I live with many regrets, and sincerely apologize for my actions.”
He specifically said he had remorse for what happened to his victim.
But much of his statement focused on his life behind bars.
Kaplan says that Weinstein's time in prison has been significantly harder because of this. He brings up chronic sciatica, arthritis, and the fact that he's wheelchair bound. Kaplan says none of these conditions were get better, but worse. He makes it clear that he's not saying…
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
Weinstein said he is permitted outside for only about an hour a day and claimed he is “treated like an animal or less.”
He also told the court that he is chained to his cell and described showers as being so cold that he struggles to keep himself stable.
Weinstein said he believed incarcerated people were being denied basic rights and suggested that, if he had years left outside prison, he wanted to use them to advocate for changes to the prison system.
Weinstein recounts a story from his youth, saying he and some friends were hitchhiking in Los Angeles and were starving when a Native American man gave them his last $5 and told them to “pass it on.” Weinstein says he has tried to carry that message with him and “pass it on”…
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
He also spoke about an incident from his youth.
Weinstein recalled hitchhiking with friends in Los Angeles when they were starving and said a Native American man gave them his last $5, telling them to “pass it on.”
Weinstein said he had tried to carry that message throughout his career and pointed to charitable work he had done over the years.
He told the court that, if released, he wanted to establish a foundation to help former inmates rebuild their lives after leaving prison.
“I want to live outside these walls,” Weinstein said. “I’m not a violent man. I ask for mercy.”
Judge weighs Harvey Weinstein's legacy
Judge Farber ultimately sentenced Weinstein to 15 years for the criminal act conviction involving the victim.
Weinstein’s defense had asked for nine years, arguing that his age and poor health made a longer sentence more likely to end with him dying behind bars.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years.
Farber thanks everyone for their comments. He turns to Weinstein and says that he was once on top and achieved greatness in the film industry. He acknowledges that while Weinstein will be remembered for his films, but for being the face of the #MeToo movement. Farber said he took…
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) September 23, 2026
Farber also addressed the extraordinary contrast between Weinstein’s career in Hollywood and the crimes for which he has been prosecuted.
“You will be remembered for the many films you brought to the silver screen,” the judge said, before adding that this legacy paled beside what Weinstein became later.
Weinstein has been incarcerated since 2020, meaning his time in custody is expected to count toward the New York sentence.
The judge requested that the New York sentence run consecutively to Weinstein’s California sentence, although he noted that California authorities ultimately have control over that issue.
