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Will Derek Chauvin survive prison? Internet says '22.5 years for ex-cop is death sentence'

Chauvin, 45, who is expected to serve at least 15 years behind bars, has been held at Minnesota's only maximum-security prison, Oak Park Heights, since April

After former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced Friday to 270 months, or 22.5 years for murdering George Floyd, he returned to the Oak Park Heights prison to what the Department of Corrections calls Minnesota's "most secure" unit. However, people are not convinced Chauvin will safely be able to serve out his term due to the fate that befell notorious billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 

On August 10, 2019, Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender was found unresponsive in his Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York jail cell. Although the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide, Epstein's lawyers have disputed the ruling, and there has been significant public skepticism about the true cause of his death. Chauvin, 45, who is expected to serve at least 15 years behind bars, has been held at Minnesota's only maximum-security prison, in Oak Park Heights, since his April conviction. 

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Where is Chauvin held?

Although people don’t typically go to prison while waiting for sentencing, Chauvin was kept there for security reasons, in a unit that is built to separate individuals from others in the prison. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Sarah Fitzgerald said Chauvin returned to the unit at the maximum-security prison following his sentencing on Friday, June 25. While his ultimate placement hasn't been determined, Fitzgerald added, "but his safety will be our predominant concern when determining final placement."

According to photos provided by the state and obtained by FOX5, Chauvin is being kept alone in an empty 10 foot-by-10 foot cell that has white cinderblock walls, slim rectangular windows, a metal toilet, and a sink, and a thin mattress on a fixed bedframe. The cell in question is being monitored by corrections staff via camera as well as in-person checks. His meals are brought to his room and he is allowed out of the cell for solitary exercise on an average of one hour per day.

He is not allowed more than 10 photos, apart from a radio and canteen food. Chauvin will be allowed to subscribe to periodicals and have three or lesser non-contact visits each week. Fitzgerald also said that Chauvin can receive emails, through the prison's paid system, which are printed out and provided to the recipient.

'Will Derek Chauvin use the Jeffrey Epstein trick to make an early exit?'

However, many people on social media are not convinced that Derek Chauvin will be safe enough in the prison cell as conspiracy still rages surrounding Epstein's death. There were also those who thought that Chauvin might try to use Epstein's death as a get-out-of-jail-free card at the earliest possible opportunity. "For everyone saying Chauvin is going to be fine, it's NOT fair because he'll be in a secure location....YEAH...So was Jeffrey Epstein. Let that sink in. #ChauvinSentencing #GeorgeFloyd," one of them commented, while another noted, "I think the justice is going to be what happens to Chauvin in prison. Just ask Epstein. I hope someone does to him what he did to George!"

A third said, "Will Derek Chauvin use the Jeffrey Epstein trick to make an early exit?" One more noted, "Im still waiting for a logical alternative from abolitionist as to where individuals like Chauvin are supposed to go. Jeffrey Epstein was supposed to go where exactly." The next remarked, "The level of protective custody Derek Chauvin will need is going to be extreme! Although we know how that worked out for Jeffrey Epstein!" Another commented, "If you think 20+ years is a walk in the park, Think about it this way. Five 4-year term Donald Trump Administrations. Chauvin will probably pull an Epstein at the 10 year mark."

One more said, "I wouldn’t be surprised if Chauvin is sent to some island somewhere with Epstein. Chauvin was a ghost before he will be a ghost again, (oddly no pics of him in the net)." A commenter tweeted, "22.5 yrs. is a death sentence to an ex-cop in prison. Chauvin will eventually pull an Epstein to stop the pain inflicted on him by other inmates." Another quipped, "Not sure about his fate, or if prison staff look the other way as they did with Epstein, but pretty sure Chauvin will have no trouble finding a handmaid to be his next wife. Prison pen pal who loves pure white bad boys." One more asked, "They want to keep Chauvin safe But, can they keep MoFoer from Pulling an Epstein? EXPLAINER: Will Chauvin's prison experience remain unusual?"