Michael Devlin moved to prison in northwest Missouri

ST. LOUIS -- Michael Devlin was moved Wednesday to a prison in the northwest Missouri town of Cameron, where he is expected to serve his 74 life sentences for kidnapping and molesting two boys whose rescue was dubbed the "Missouri Miracle."

Devlin, 42, had been under evaluation at a prison intake center in St. Joseph since October, when he pleaded guilty in three counties and in federal court for the 2002 abduction of then-11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck and the January 2007 abduction of 13-year-old Ben Ownby. Both boys, from different parts of rural eastern Missouri, were found four days after Ben's abduction at Devlin's apartment in the St. Louis County town of Kirkwood.

Since his arrest Jan. 12, 2007, Devlin has been segregated from other inmates, first at county jails in Franklin and St. Louis counties, and since his guilty pleas at the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in St. Joseph. Now that he's moved to Cameron, about 50 miles north of Kansas City, he'll continue to spend virtually all of his time by himself.

Devlin is housed in "administrative segregation." He's confined to his cell almost all the time, Corrections Department spokesman Brian Hauswirth said. He can have one magazine, one newspaper and some sacred readings but no hardback books. He has no TV, no radio, no computer.

Devlin eats alone, though he gets the same meal as other inmates. He gets one hour of recreation -- by himself -- three times a week, time when he can walk outdoors or have library books brought to him -- he isn't allowed to go there.

He can shower every third day. He can receive visitors, but would have to meet with them through glass. He has no contact with other inmates.

Loyd Bailie, Ben's uncle and a spokesman for the family, said he was disappointed that Devlin was protected from the other prisoners.

"He should be in the general population," Bailie said. "Why should he be subject to anything different than other sexual predators? Why should they make stipulations for him?"

But Devlin's attorney said his client would prefer living among other inmates, even if his notoriety and the heinous nature of his crimes could endanger his life.

"He's split on that, but I think he's demonstrated more of a desire to be out in the general population," attorney Ethan Corlija said. "He's commented to me that if something happens to him in the general population, so be it. It's better than being in solitary."

It's doubtful if Devlin will ever get his wish.

His segregation is partly for his own protection, but also for the good of the institution, Hauswirth said.

"Our No. 1 goal is the safety and security of the institution," Hauswirth said. "At this point, we just don't see that happening.

"This is a dangerous felon who kidnapped and sexually assaulted two young boys."

The prison in Cameron was built in 1997 and houses 1,448 inmates. Corlija said he was pleased with the choice of Cameron over eastern Missouri's maximum-security prisons in Bonne Terre and Potosi, both not far from where the abductions occurred.

"To have him here would stir up the emotion," Corlija said. "To have him farther away is better off for him and everyone else."

In addition to his multiple life terms, Devlin was sentenced to 170 years in federal prison, a term that would begin if he ever completes his time in Missouri.

Corlija said he hasn't spoken with Devlin since December but gets mail from him from time to time.

"I think he's all right," Corlija said. "He's got a lot of complaints, but he understands the circumstances and understands things aren't going to get better and he'll just have to adjust."

Shawn, now 16, was abducted while riding his bike near his Richwoods home. Ben had just gotten off the school bus when he was forced into Devlin's white pickup. A classmate of Ben gave police the description of the pickup that led to Devlin, a former pizzeria manager with no previous criminal record.