Biography of billy hayes turkish prison conditions

American writer, actor and film director

Not to be confused with Bill Hayes (writer).

William "Billy" Hayes (born April 3, ) is an American writer, actor, film director and convicted drug smuggler. He is best known for his autobiographical book Midnight Express about his experiences in and escape from a Turkish prison, after being convicted of smuggling hashish.

He was one of hundreds of US citizens in foreign jails serving drug charge sentences, following a drug-smuggling crackdown by foreign governments.^[2]

Background

Hayes was caught trying to smuggle four pounds ( kg) of hashish out of Turkey on October 7, He was originally sentenced to four years and two months in a Turkish prison.

With his release date weeks away, he learned that the authorities had chosen to penalize him with a life sentence for smuggling, instead of possession.^[3]

Hayes was imprisoned at Sağmalcılar prison in Istanbul^[4] after having spent one