Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is now serving a 25 year prison sentence for fraud. In recent days he has even done a surprising interview from jail which gives unexpected details of his life in jail.
Life Behind Bars: Meeting Diddy and the Muffin Economy
On Thursday, SBF appeared to offer a glimpse into his daily life at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center in a 40 minute interview with Tucker Carlson. His interaction with fellow inmate Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the most unexpected revelations, with the famous rapper awaiting serious charges. Diddy has been kind to people in the unit, SBF said. He’s been kind to me.”
SBF also shared beyond celebrity encounters about the economy within the prison. Absent traditional money, inmates made their own kind of trade. SBF notes, however, that muffins have evolved into a type of currency. He did tell us that he collects muffins, not for eating, but for trades with conviction. In this “muffin economy,” this is little different from how inmates of not so long ago adapted to their environment.
The Interview’s Fallout: Solitary Confinement
While the interview gave a rare insight into prison life, SBF was forced to pay the price. However, prison officials said the interview was unauthorized. Thus, SBF was put in solitary confinement. This particular interview was not approved, Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Sue Bradford said.
Understanding Prison Interview Rules
In the U.S., although inmates can sometimes speak with the media, there are strict rules. Interviews cannot be paid in any way. But furthermore, the inmate has to agree to having his or her interview in writing, and the prison warden has to approve it. It is therefore ensured that security and order within the facility exists.
An interview can be denied if they assess it is a potential security threat or could disrupt the operation of the prison. In SBF’s instance, it seems the right procedures were not employed when placing him in solitary.
SBF’s Efforts for a Presidential Pardon
Outside of the interview, SBF has explored means of lessening his sentence. Former President Donald Trump is reportedly being lobbied by him to have one of his presidential pardons. Despite being a long time major donor to the Democratic party, SBF had several times in the recent past become more conservative, and aligned with Trump’s pro crypto policies. He also appears in the media to criticize the current administration and support Republican policies.
Final Note
Sam Bankman Friedman recently shared a jailhouse interview on the complexities of prison life from making unexpected friends to dealing with the informal economy. However, this does not take away the need to follow prison protocols, because departure from them results in punishments such as solitary confinement. His actions are also a reminder of what life in prison holds and the various tactics SBF will utilize to reduce his sentence.
Also read: Ripple CEO Defends Against Bitcoin Reserve Sabotage Claims
