Interviews blamed for 'Survivor' jailing

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch was sent back to a Massachusetts jail this week after he gave several interviews without permission, his attorney said.

Hatch was convicted of tax evasion in 2006. He was imprisoned until several months ago and then permitted to serve out the remainder of his confinement at his Newport, R.I., home until the sentence ends in October.

The reality television personality was remanded to Barnstable County Correctional Facility in Bourne, Mass., this week, but his lawyer and prison officials initially said they didn't know why.

The Providence (R.I.) Journal has since reported that law enforcement officials decided to send Hatch back to jail because he granted unauthorized interviews to media outlets seeking a response to controversial remarks he made during an approved appearance on NBC's "Today" show.

The openly gay Hatch said in the "Today" interview he believed his trial was unfair and that the judge hearing the case discriminated against him by not allowing his lawyer to ask potential jurors about their feelings regarding homosexuality. Hatch further said he didn't think he would have been sent to prison if he wasn't gay.