Menandes’ brothers’ prison life: restrictions, no couple visits

Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez Trying to be released on parole in their murders – but what is their current life in prison like?

The brothers were arrested in 1990 Two counts of first-degree murder In their parents (Jose and Katie) were found shot dead in their home. Lyle, 21, and Erik, 18 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to not guilty after two trials. Lyle and Erik insist that their mother and father were abused physically, emotionally and sexually before their death.

Erik and Lyle initially stayed in the same prison Transferred after being sentenced. They were reunited in 2018 when they were moved into the same housing unit at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Institution.

Their case received new support in September 2024 after becoming a focus in September 2024 Ryan Murphy‘ monster series. Even though Erik Publicly criticize script programshe met Cooper Kochwho has played him on the screen.

“They did a lot of amazing work in prison.

Koch added: “In fact, the guard told me that he felt he was happy to treat them as neighbors and he was happy to let them look at his kids. I think that said a lot!”

With Koch’s support – Reality stars turn into reformed activeists Kim Kardashian – Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon It was announced in October 2024 that a hearing had been held due to new evidence. In the same month, Gascon advised Judges Erik and Lyle. Erik’s parole was eventually denied in August 2025.

Keep scrolling to learn about Erik and Lyle’s daily life:

Past problems

Erik people In 2005, “I live in a very small cell… about 6’x4′. Two people live in the cells. The cells are small, and only one person can lift it from the bunk at one time.

He’s hard Adapt to “violent voices” In prison.

“It’s hard to live with. It always affects you. You have to continue your business,” he noted. “There can be between 300 and 400 people in the yard at a time, and a fight can break out at any time. In the past month, two prisoners have been murdered. You have to stay away from the bullies in the yard.”

Erik reveals that he is He was initially sentenced.

“When they weren’t part of the gang structure, there were a lot of prisoners going through in prison. They came in and they were basically a lonely wolf. They just needed to be themselves. Not involved. I haven’t really asked for help since I was separated from Lyle.”

Erik continued: “I remember the day I was told that Lyle had just been beaten and had his chin broken. … It was difficult, and that’s why it took years to exercise because you had to find yourself in prison. I believe the school was right and really tried. But 25 years ago, it was a place that was even darker, more dangerous.”

Related: What’s wrong with the murder “monster” of Erik and Lyle Menendez?

Netflix’s Monster series faces opposition to the way Lyle Menéndez and Erik Menéndez portrays, especially inaccurate details about the incident that led to the murder. The limited edition series was released on September 19, centering on Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Eric (Cooper Koch) who were convicted of the 1989 murder case […]

Examples of current improvements

In a statement in the Biography in September 2024, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provided the latest news about Eric and Lyle’s behavior and wrote: “While Erik Menendez encountered two serious rules. [Lyle] Menendez did not violate the rules. ”

Good behaviors of Erik and Lyle Paving the way for their lives In Donovan’s “Non-designated Programming Facilities”. The unit is known as the Echo Yard, which makes prisoners more free, rehabilitation and education programs. These opportunities include yoga, art classes and more.

In a rare interview, Erik gives examples of his daily schedule people In 2005, again, “I got up at 6:20 am. I had breakfast. I meditated at 6:50. From 7:30, I read and write in my diary. We either start at 9:30, or start at 9:30, or start at 2:00 pm from 2:00 pm, I will start at 2:00 pm, and I will start at my work. I will try and make calls, I will try and make calls, and try and make calls. [wife] Tammy [Menéndez] afternoon. Then I will work until 8:00 pm and we are locked. I usually sleep around 10:30 pm”

Rules for contacting relatives

The brothers were classified as Group A prisoners, which gave them the greatest privileges of visiting and making calls. In recent years, the law has been passed to make phone calls for prisoners and their families free of charge.

In 2021, California began providing tablets for prisoners. Donovan prisoners spent two years taking advantage of the opportunity, it was important to pay attention to these equipment Unable to access social media or Internet browser. These tablets are mainly used to read news materials and stay in touch with loved ones via email, video calls and text messages.

Erik and Lyle also rely on technology to stay up to date and share on the podcast in 2025 “We are able to see a lot. I watched some of them via video chat and they can do some here. Obviously, we’ve seen a million clips on TV.

Potential extracurricular

The Echo Yard is considered an experimental part of the prison and is less restrictive. According to the San Diego United Tribune, the department operates outside of “normal prison rules.” Echo Yard allows inmates to participate in creative programs, education and support groups for people with anger management or substance abuse problems.

Prisoners can take courses such as victim awareness, currency management, and job search strategies. There is a yoga program that allows prisons to reduce participation in 10 days of sentences every 52 hours. Rehabilitation Achievement Credits can provide prisoners with up to 40 days of judgment.

Donovan also has monthly newspapers and art classes published by prisoners. Lyle and Erik significantly utilize project paint When they helped paint 1,000 feet long 2020 murals in Echo Yard.

Elsewhere in the Echo Yard, inmates can help raise service dogs and future guide dogs. Donovan also held his first graduation ceremony in 2024, after nearly twenty inmates earned an inspiring future degree through their educational degrees.

Related: Who did the Menendez brothers marry when they were in life jail?

Ted Soqui/Sygma has found partners through Getty Images Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez, while serving sentences following a high-profile murder case. The Menéndez brothers were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder because their parents, José and Kitty, were shot to death at home. two […]

Restrictions on couples’ access

Erik married his wife Tammi since he met through letters in 1999. Meanwhile, Lyle exchanged oaths Anna Eriksson In 1996, they divorced five years later. He found love later Rebecca Sneider They got married in 2003.

California prisons allow couples to visit, but prisons that prohibit the use of life sentences with parole are prohibited from using such privileges. The law changed in 2016, but because Erik and Lyle committed violent crimes against family members, they are still not eligible for family visits.

“It’s difficult not to have sex in my life, but it’s not a problem for me. I have to be emotionally attached, and I have an emotional attachment to Eric,” Tammy told Tammy. people In 2005. “My family didn’t understand. When it started to get serious, some of them just raised their hands.”

Lyle also caught a glimpse of his marriage to Rebecca and told the media in 2017: “Our interactions are often not distracted, and we may have a closer conversation than most married spouses who are distracted by their life activities.”

He concluded: “We try to have phone conversations on the phone every day, sometimes a few times a day. I have a very stable marriage, which helps to maintain me and brings a lot of peace and joy. It’s an objection to the unpredictable, very stressful environment here.”

Seek medical help

In July 2025, Erik’s family confirmed that he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition in the hospital. The fear of health led to Eric being taken to an outside medical facility where he remained in fairness.

Erik’s attorney Mark Geragos resolved the issue when he publicly asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom to release his client immediately.

“I don’t want the cat out of the bag. Erik now has a serious medical condition,” he told TMZ. “I won’t violate HIPAA or attorney client privileges, but if anyone should take a leave of absence – especially now, a month before the hearing, it’s Eric.”

Geragos chose not to disclose details about whether Menéndez’s diagnosis was “life-threatening”. (This exit then confirms that Erik is being treated for kidney stones.)

The lawyer replied, “Hope not,” and it was a serious condition that I think he needs to focus on the hearing. I don’t want to get stuck in the weeds of disease, but I think it’s the right thing to do. ”

Geragos continued: “I just think it’s a serious condition and he should be on medical leave so that he can work with a parole lawyer and be ready as soon as possible. It’s the only fair, fair thing.”