SBF Lands in a Tough US Prison

The facility, officially called Victorville Medium II FCI, has a rough reputation among inmates and is sometimes referred to as “Victimville” in online discussions.

His transfer was confirmed through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ online system. Before arriving in Victorville, Bankman-Fried spent two weeks at a transfer center in Oklahoma. That followed more than a year and a half at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Victorville Medium II currently houses more than 1,400 inmates. While the environment is tough, the prison offers recreational and educational programs. Inmates have access to an electronic law library, and can participate in activities like basketball, leatherwork, art, and Foosball. Classes are also available, including training on Microsoft Office 2010.

Zouki’s consulting firm, which provides information about federal prisons, describes Victorville Medium II as a place where inmates often feel pressure to join groups based on race or background.

These groups, sometimes called “cars”, are common in prison and serve as a form of protection. One inmate quoted by the site said joining a car is “required for personal safety”.

The same source mentions that violence is frequent at this facility. One person noted that “fights are regular, and stabbings are not uncommon”.

Before Bankman-Fried was relocated to Victorville Medium II, he described his daily life in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on March 5. What did he say? Read the full story.