FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was recently handed a 25-year sentence, may face challenges with limited vegan options in prison, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. A judge at his sentencing hearing recommended that he be sent to a low- or medium-security facility, with a prison consultant suggesting Mendota, a medium-security prison near Fresno, California, as a possible placement.
If sent to Mendota, Bankman-Fried may have to rely on vegan items available on the prison’s commissary list, such as rice, almonds, and Skittles drink mix. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan made the recommendation for a low or medium-security prison based on Bankman-Fried’s wealth and autism diagnosis, but the final decision on his placement lies with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
While a medium-security facility may pose risks due to other inmates convicted of violent crimes, a low-security prison like Lompoc near Santa Barbara could offer Bankman-Fried more freedom and opportunities to learn new skills like crochet. However, the food options in prison are likely to be limited, with former inmate Bill Baroni noting that the only vegetables he ate came from cans.
Despite the challenges, Bankman-Fried has been reported to be maintaining a vegan diet while in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His commitment to animal welfare was highlighted by a fellow inmate who wrote a letter to Judge Kaplan on his behalf. As he awaits the final decision on his prison placement, Bankman-Fried may have to navigate a new set of challenges in the coming years.
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