Complex sentence: Sobhraj manipulated prison officials into granting him special favors, like being allowed to keep books in his cell, etc. At around the same time, he met and endeared himself to Felix d'Escogne, a wealthy young man and prison volunteer.
Split into simpler sentences: Sobhraj manipulated prison officials into granting him special favours, such as being allowed to keep books in his cell. Around the same time, he met and endeared himself to Felix d'Escogne, a wealthy young man and prison volunteer.