On Tuesday evening Sam Bankman-Fried’s relatives reportedly called Fox Hill prison, the facility where disgraced former FTX CEO is being held while awaiting his extradition trial, to ask if he could receive vegan meals. He is reportedly unable to receive visitors due to the prison’s Covid-19 protocol.
The facility, which is the only prison in the Bahamas, has been described by the US State Department as “harsh due to overcrowding, poor nutrition, inadequate sanitation, and inadequate medical care.“
It’s unclear who among Bankman-Fried’s relatives made the call or whether the facility allowed the request. He is currently staying at the facility’s medical department “for orientation purposes,” according to Doan Cleare, Bahamian Commissioner of Correctional Services. “And then we will determine where best to place him.”
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This suggests that Bankman-Fried could eventually be placed in a regular cell with other inmates. And based on what we’ve read and seen about Fox Hill, his vegan diet isn’t likely to survive that situation, especially if they will allow a sort of special delivery arrangement.
Part of Fox Hill’s “harsh” conditions, allegedly, is the long wait in between meals. If prisoners are barely fed on time, it’s unlikely that prison officials would even consider giving Bankman-Fried a vegan option.
Many are speculating that the conditions at Fox Hill will push Bankman-Fried to change his mind about fighting extradition to the US. Doing so might result in him spending months, even years in Fox Hill. He has until February 8 to mull it over.
Bankman-Fried’s lawyers had initially requested that he be released on a US$250,000 cash bail and an ankle monitor to track his movements. They argued that the former FTX CEO needed to maintain his vegan diet and take his medication. Bankman-Fried said in court that his medications include 10mg of Adderall every four hours, and the over-the-counter allergy medicine Zyrtec.
But Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt deemed the risk of flight being too great to grant bail, and also pointed out that doing so would mean going against the treaty that the Bahamas has with the US.
Information for this briefing was found via Bloomberg, Coindesk, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
