Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted for the murder of George Floyd, has been transferred from a federal prison in Arizona to a federal transfer center in Oklahoma City. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has not disclosed the reason for this move, citing privacy, safety, and security concerns. The transfer comes after Chauvin was stabbed 22 times by John Turscak, a fellow inmate in the Tucson prison where he was previously held.
Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, stated on social media that the move to Oklahoma City is temporary, though she could not provide further details about his next destination. The BOP’s website says he is currently at FTC Oklahoma City, the main transfer hub for federal prisoners being transferred across the country that is connected to the Will Rogers World Airport. This FTC currently has 1,356 inmates, according to the BOP, of various security levels.
The BOP typically houses new prisoners with more than 20 years remaining in their sentences in high-security U.S. penitentiaries. Then, it transfers them to lower-security prisons when they fall below 20 years and meet other criteria, such as staying out of trouble.
While Chauvin may have less than 20 years to serve his sentence, it does not automatically mean he will be transferred to a low-security prison. This is because, even though he was attacked and likely didn’t start the fight when he was stabbed, the BOP charges both parties with fighting. Notably, though, Chauvin’s attacker is facing criminal charges.
Chauvin is currently serving a combined 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights and a 22½-year state sentence for second-degree murder, with a projected release in January 2038.
UPDATE: Chauvin was transferred to FCI Big Spring in Texas, a low-security federal prison.
Leave a Reply