'Turning out the lights isn't an option': Utah jail's extreme measures to keep Charlie Kirk suspect alive

SPANISH FORK, UTAH: Tyler Robinson is being held in a jail in Spanish Fork, Utah, and extreme measures have been implemented to not only keep the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect from ending his life, but also to prevent any foul play.

The 22-year-old has been placed under "special watch", which is a set of measures designed, in part, to keep an inmate from hurting himself in custody.

Expert says first few days in jail are going to be most severe for Tyler Robinson 

Lenard Vare, an expert in jail conditions, spoke to Daily Mail and said, "If I was involved with the facility where Mr Robinson was placed, I would be really, really mindful that the types of things that happened in the Jeffrey Epstein case don't get repeated."

Meanwhile, Lt Rhett Williams, a sheriff's spokesperson, said on Monday, September 15, that he's "not at liberty" to discuss Robinson or his living conditions in the Utah County Jail's "special housing unit", which is away from other prisoners.

Experts say Robinson, now inmate number 460956 in the lock-up, will now be under constant surveillance, whether or not he has considered or voiced thoughts about suicide.

Interestingly, special watch cells are always lit, even during the daytime, so corrections officers can monitor the inmate's movements at all times.

Moreover, Joseph Gunja, a jail consultant and expert witness, told the outlet, "Turning out the lights isn't an option."

However, Vare added that sleep deprivation and a lack of privacy can be overwhelming, especially for Robinson, who is doing his first stint behind bars.

"These first few days are going to be the most severe for him. It's obviously got to be very shocking as it all sinks in," Vare mentioned.

Furthermore, experts expect the sheriff's department is also recording the 22-year-old on a video system constantly monitored by another officer, following the intense worldwide scrutiny around Charlie Kirk's killing.

Expert says officers cannot 'take your eye off' Tyler Robinson even for a second

Lenard Vare is a former prison warden and jail director who has served as expert witnesses in prison suicide cases worldwide. He told Daily Mail, "The point is not to take your eye off him for even a few seconds so nothing unfortunate happens."

According to him, if one of the officers observing him needs to eat, make a phone call, or relieve themselves, replacements will be sent in.

Notably, inmates placed on special watch usually aren't allowed to wear regular prison garb.

They're given special anti-suicide smocks, which is known among inmates as "turtle suits" or "pickle suits". It is made of an especially thick material that they cannot tear or use to hang or suffocate themselves.

Similarly, bedsheets, blankets, and pillows typically aren't provided for the same reason.

Moreover, walls and floors in special watch cells are cushioned so inmates can't injure themselves by banging their heads against them.

The cells also have no hooks or other hardware with which inmates could cause harm to themselves.

Some cells have combined toilets and sinks whose plumbing is embedded behind walls to keep inmates from hurting themselves with dismantled pipes.

Meanwhile, some cells have holes in the ground instead of toilets to avoid the need for plumbing altogether.

Expert reveals jail aims to protect Tyler Robinson from 'foul play' 

Vare informed the outlet that the precautions Utah County's Sheriff's Department is likely taking with Robinson aren't meant only to protect him from self-harm, but to also protect him from 'foul play' either by other inmates, or jail staff motivated by any number of reasons.

"Something bad could happen in a case this high-profile. Somebody could end up taking his life just because they know that will make them famous," he said.

Vare said if he were running Utah County's jail, he would take special steps to vet officers who come into contact with Robinson and make sure they were working in pairs at all times.

"I would be talking to my staff and explaining the importance of remaining professional under all circumstances and not letting any personal thoughts enter into their conduct," he mentioned.

Vare added, "I mean, they've just got to do it by the book so nothing comes into question later on."