A Samourai Wallet developer was slated for a drug- and alcohol-treatment program at FPC Morgantown and applied for a transfer furlough on June 5. The request, which would have let him cover his own travel expenses, was rejected three days later without explanation, obliging him to undergo the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) standard transit process.
The Overland Bus Journey
On June 10 the inmate was taken to Receiving and Discharge, stripped, searched, and issued a uniform of ill-fitting clothing. He and five others were shackled at the wrists and ankles, with a chain connecting the cuffs, limiting arm movement. The group boarded a hybrid school-bus/coach vehicle already filled with prisoners from various security levels. Officers in stab-vests and firearms escorted the convoy.
The ride lasted about five hours, punctuated by frequent stops for officers to purchase food, cigarettes, and energy drinks. The constant noise inside the bus, amplified by metal shackles digging into limbs, made the experience unusually stressful. After the road leg, the convoy arrived at Greenbriar Valley Regional Airport, where inmates were shuffled among several buses before being directed to a waiting U.S. Marshals-operated aircraft.
Air Transport and the Oklahoma Hub
Inmates boarded a plain white plane marked only with a small American flag. Marshals conducted pat-downs and checked mouths and feet before seating the prisoners in tightly packed rows. The flight was part of a two-stage transit that typically routes inmates through an Oklahoma City hub before reaching their final destination. While the process appeared logistically smooth, it is estimated to cost around $10,000 per prisoner to move through Oklahoma.
Arrival at FCI McKean and Ongoing Hardship
The developer finally disembarked at FCI McKean after a month of travel that included two trans-continental flights, three long bus rides, and extended periods of confinement in cells with limited freedom—often locked down for 23 hours a day. He described sharing cells with a convicted murderer and another inmate with severe gastrointestinal issues, noting the stark contrast in living conditions.
Petition for Release
Within the letter, the author urges readers to sign a petition seeking the freedom of Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill, emphasizing that each signature contributes to their cause.
Why it matters
The account provides a rare, first-hand look at the BOP’s transfer system, revealing the physical and psychological strain placed on inmates during relocation. The disclosed $10,000 per-prisoner expense highlights the financial burden of the current process, prompting questions about efficiency and humane treatment. Moreover, the narrative connects the broader issue of prison conditions to the crypto community, as supporters of Samourai Wallet rally around the developers’ plight, illustrating how legal and regulatory environments can intersect with digital-currency projects.
