FTX founder SBF moves to a more subdued Terminal Island facility after the infamous Victorville stint

Sam Bankman-Fried, the dishonest founder of Cryptocurrency Exchange FTX, has been transferred to a new federal prison after his stint in one of the nation’s most infamous facilities.

The 33-year-old, declared for 25 years in March 2024 for organizing one of the biggest financial frauds in history, is currently housed on Los Angeles’ Low Security Federal Correctional Facility (FCI) Terminal Island.

SBF starts a new chapter

The latest move comes as a major change from his previous location, the Victorville II Federal Correctional Facility in California. Bankmanfried had previously been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and the Transfer Center in Oklahoma.

Unlike the Victorville, famous for its frequent stab wounds and harsh race-based gang dynamics, Terminal Island offers a much more calm and less volatile environment. Located along the waterfront in San Pedro, California, the facility reportedly offers inmates scenic views, better food and access to a variety of programs. Terminal Island regulations include vocational training in areas such as law libraries, wellness initiatives, plumbing, welding, and cooking.

Institutional inmates are actively talking about relatively low levels of violence, with one source noting that the prison is considered “over the water” and “aspiring political yard.”

Legal Fighting and Prison Stunts

The changes around Bankmanfried do not mark the end of his legal battle. He continues to sue his convictions, including charges of wire fraud, securities fraud and merchandise fraud, and is actively seeking pardons from US President Donald Trump.

Attempts to influence public perceptions of SBF include a well-known interview with Tucker Carlson, conducted while at MDC in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, public relations strategist Mark Botnik, who represented the founder of FTX, has resigned from the stunt.

Terminal Island, which once housed the infamous gangster Al Capone, American criminal and cult leader Charles Manson, and LSD advocate Timothy Really, now houses more than 900 prisoners.