In Lompoc, California, inmates can engage in ceramics or crochet, while those at a Mendota facility, just a few hours away, can play basketball on one of five courts or have a harmonica. These prisons are potential destinations for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is set to begin serving a 25-year sentence.
The sentencing judge recommended a low- or medium-security prison near his parents' home in the San Francisco Bay Area due to Bankman-Fried's low risk for violence and his vulnerabilities, such as autism and wealth, which make him a target for other prisoners.
The security level of the prison will significantly impact Bankman-Fried's experience. In a low-security facility, he might have more freedom, sleeping in dormitory-style housing and likely being housed with fellow white-collar criminals.
In contrast, a medium-security prison could see him alongside inmates serving time for violent crimes, including sex offenses, and might involve sleeping in cells.
The ultimate decision on his placement rests with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which oversees 122 detention facilities nationwide.
The bureau may heed the judge's advice and send him to the West Coast, but it is not obligated to do so. Factors like supervision needs, medical requirements, and programming needs will influence his placement.
Bankman-Fried has been in a Brooklyn federal jail since August, where he shared a dorm with a former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking. His experience in the jail, which is considered one of the worst federal jails, included using packets of mackerel as currency, replacing cigarettes. It is likely he will remain there until his prison assignment is finalized.
Prison consultants estimate his total sentence to be around 17 to 20 years, considering credits for classes and good behavior. This means he could be close to 50 when released.
A consultant hired by Bankman-Fried's lawyers recommended a low-security facility near his parents' home, suggesting prisons like Terminal Island in Los Angeles or Lompoc, California.
At Lompoc, inmates have access to arts and crafts, and various job assignments that pay a nominal hourly rate. Mendota, a medium-security prison, offers outdoor recreation and limited musical instrument access.
The prison environment varies by security level, with medium-security prisons being more volatile. Bankman-Fried may transfer to lower-security facilities as he serves his sentence, eventually reaching a minimum-security camp.
During his sentencing, Bankman-Fried expressed feeling his useful life was over but is likely to find ways to be productive in prison, possibly by teaching classes or offering financial advice.
Regardless of the facility, Bankman-Fried, a vegan, may face dietary challenges, possibly relying on the commissary for vegan options like raw almonds and white rice.