I think it's standard practice to hold new prisoners in solitary confinement. Suicide prevention and new prisoner protection is what I've been told.
So explain the heavy shackles and the schedule. Explain the lack of exercise.
There's a rumor that a pardon is in the works. Someone could be leaning on them to drop appeals and accept a pardon. If they accept a pardon, they'll always be pardoned ex-convicts, even if their rights are restored. Capiche?
This is about more than who shot at whom, or who ran from whom. Something really stinks here, and the fact that these guys are being leaned on in prison is a convincing whiff.