Sam Bankman-Fried’s Relocation
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of the defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has been relocated to a notoriously aggressive prison in Southern California known for its harsh conditions. As of this Wednesday, he is serving his sentence at the Victorville Medium II FCI, which is situated approximately two hours northeast of Los Angeles, following a brief stay at an Oklahoma Transfer Center.
Prison Sentence and Background
Bankman-Fried received a 25-year prison sentence in November 2023 after being found guilty of orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that has been labeled one of the most significant financial crimes in U.S. history.
His move to Victorville comes after more than 18 months of detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. According to Christopher Zoukis, a federal prison advisor, the quality of life in medium-security facilities like Victorville is generally poor, with a larger risk of violence compared to their lower-security counterparts. Zoukis noted that prisons along the West Coast often involve higher levels of gang activity and complex prison dynamics than those found in the East Coast or mid-Atlantic regions.
Conditions at Victorville
Victorville is informally referred to as “Victimville” among some online communities due to its violent reputation. An advisory report from Zoukis’s consultancy highlights that inmates at this facility often need to align themselves with racially-based groups, known as ‘cars’, for safety. Inmates have been quoted saying that being part of a car is crucial for personal protection within the prison environment.
Reports indicate a troubling atmosphere at Victorville Medium II, with a significant prevalence of violence; fights and stabbings are described as common occurrences. Notably, three inmates were convicted in January of this year for the second-degree murder of another inmate in a 2013 incident. In a separate instance, an inmate was charged with attempted murder after stabbing the prison warden in 2017, severely injuring him. The prison complex, which accommodates 1,434 inmates across various cell configurations, has also seen its share of assaults on correctional staff.
Among other notorious residents of Victorville is Mohamed Osman Mohamud, who received a 30-year sentence for attempting to detonate a vehicle bomb during a 2013 Christmas event in Portland.
Ongoing Appeals and Opportunities
Bankman-Fried’s conviction on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy came after a jury trial in Manhattan last fall. Despite his sentencing, he continues to assert his innocence, stating,
“I don’t think I’m a criminal,”
as he prepares to appeal the decision. Within the confines of his new prison, he will have access to an electronic law library and will be able to engage in activities like basketball, leather crafting, and arts and crafts, in addition to educational courses covering Microsoft software.
