if convicted of murder, van der sloot could serve between 15 and 35 years in prison in peru. a few people have come to his defense. an ex-girlfriend said he was romantic. she kept in touch even after he was linked to the disappearance of alabama teen natalee holloway in 2005. his mother, anita, has also stood up for him saying "he is not the monster they like the world to see. he's traumatized, depressed and has an addiction. joran is sick in his head but he didn't want help." for now van der sloot's home is in prison and it is a dusty jailhouse outside the capital. his cell is small with the most primitive of bathrooms and jean casarez went behind the barbed wire for this report. >> reporter: we were given exclusive access to castro