Harvey Weinstein is current serving the sixth year of his 23-year sentence for three counts of rape – but has called for his release in the first major interview he’s given behind bars.The disgraced TV and Film mogul spawned a movement in 2017 when numerous women came forward to accuse him of sexual abuse, creating the #MeToo Hollywood movement.This saw several brave women first come forward about Weinstein, with more than 80 accusing him of sexual harassment or rape.Weinstein has been pushing for his early release from prison due to ill health since early 2025, but has been unsuccessful in his calls for a retrial.

Now, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he has opened up about the ‘hell’ he lives in on Rikers island in an interview sure to illicit little sympathy.Weinstein said that he is in his cell 23 hours a day, only receiving human contact with the guards who will take him outside for half an hour of fresh air in his wheelchair and the nurses checking on his health.When asked why that’s the case Weinstein said: “Because it’s Rikers Island and it’s hell.It was different when I was in state prison. I got up in the morning, I had breakfast, I saw friends, I spoke to people. We all watched TV together.“I’ve been begging to go to state, but the DA’s office says, ‘Because you have a trial upcoming, you stay at Rikers. We want to keep an eye on you. They kept an eye on me for 19 months now. I don’t know where they think I’m going.”