Bryan Kohberger Won’t Head Straight to Prison After Receiving 4 Life Sentences for Idaho Student Murders

Bryan Kohberger, the man who admitted to killing four University of Idaho students, won’t be going directly to prison following his sentencing. Instead, he will first undergo a standard evaluation process with the Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC), officials confirmed.

Kohberger, 30, was sentenced on Wednesday to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to the 2022 murders of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves. Though his time in Ada County Jail is ending, his next destination won’t be a prison cell—at least not immediately.

According to an IDOC spokesperson, Kohberger will first enter a reception and diagnostic unit (RDU), a process that typically lasts one to two weeks. This step involves a comprehensive evaluation to determine appropriate security measures and long-term housing placement.

“We wait until a person completes RDU to determine their classification or housing placement,” the spokesperson explained, noting that specific details about Kohberger’s placement are being withheld for safety and security reasons.

While he will most likely be placed in Idaho’s only maximum-security prison, the state has not ruled out the option of transferring him to an out-of-state facility. “Out-of-state placements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and consider safety and security of our staff, the facility, and other prison management reasons,” the spokesperson said.

Kohberger has been in custody for more than 900 days, first held in Latah County after being extradited from Pennsylvania in early 2023. In September 2024, he was moved to the Ada County Jail after a change-of-venue request was granted ahead of his trial.

That trial never took place. On July 2, 2025, in a surprising turn, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary, avoiding the death penalty by agreeing to serve four fixed life terms and waiving his right to appeal.

During sentencing, Judge Steven Hippler delivered a scathing rebuke: “It’s time to end his 15 minutes of fame,” he said, becoming emotional as he addressed the confessed killer.

Kohberger is expected to begin the IDOC intake process as early as Thursday.