FIRST Lori’s DAYS IN PRISON Struggles to adjust to life in the big house
Full House star Lori Loughlin
For the next two months, she’ll be known as Prisoner 77827112. After pleading guilty for her role in the college admissions scandal, Lori Loughlin reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Calif., on the morning of Oct. 30 to begin her twomonth sentence. “She was a complete wreck — she burst into tears as she was being processed,” says an insider. “She tried to bring makeup, but they confiscated it right away. The whole experience was so humiliating for her.”
It’s only going to get worse. After undergoing a COVID-19 symptom screening, the Full House star was issued a khaki jumpsuit and placed into quarantine, where she’ll stay for two weeks. “It’s a pretty cushy prison, but she still needs to watch her back, especially in her first days,” says the insider. “Anyone with money is a target, and it doesn’t help that the prisoners will think of her as Aunt Becky. She’ll probably be teased — and more. Her friends are frightened for her.”
It may be known as “Club Fed,” but it’s still a prison. That means Lori, who was likely served fajitas and beans for dinner her first night, will have to adhere to strict rules. Prisoners at the facility — which previously housed Patty Hearst, Heidi Fleiss and Felicity Huffman (see below) — must be up by 5 a.m. and have their beds made by 6 every day. According to the website, they are currently only allowed three showers a week, and visitation has been suspended until further notice, due to the pandemic. (Lori will, however, get to replace that makeup: She can spend up to $320 a month at the commissary, which sells drugstore eyeliner, lipstick and foundation.)
NO SPECIAL TREATMENT
All her money and fame won’t change anything. Though Lori, 56, initially made outrageous requests — reportedly demanding a private cell and a reduced sentence because of recent coronavirus outbreaks in prisons — they were shot down. A prison spokeswoman confirmed the actress would “be treated the same as any other inmate.” So she’ll share a bunk in a large, dorm-style unit. And prosecutors released a statement clarifying the terms of her deal: “The defendant has agreed that she will not seek an early release from prison on COVIDrelated grounds.”
That means she could be in there until the end of December. “She’s heartbroken she’s going to miss the holidays with her family,” the insider says of the mom to Isabella, 22, and Olivia, 21. Even more devastating is the fact that her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, 57, is due to begin his five-month sentence by Nov. 19, for his involvement in the scam to pay $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California. “Lori was trying to be brave, but it’s not working. She’s in a really low place right now,” says the insider. “She’s worried about getting beaten up by fellow prisoners.”
She has good reason to be scared. “A lot of things can and do go horribly wrong behind bars,” says the insider. “Lori is now living a nightmare.” ◼