Derek Chauvin’s family say they have not received an update about his condition since his stabbing.
The former Minneapolis police officer, who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, was attacked by another inmate on Nov. 24 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona. Chauvin reportedly sustained serious injuries.
Gregory M. Erickson, an attorney who represents Chauvin, says the Federal Bureau of Prisons has not given his family an update on his condition and that they are unsure if he is stable as some news outlets reported. He said Chauvin’s family has repeatedly reached out to the prison but has received no information.
“As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous,” Erickson told AP News. “It appears to be indicative of a poorly run facility and indicates how Derek’s assault was allowed to happen.”
The Bureau of Prisons has publically confirmed that an attack occurred and that “life-saving measures” were performed before the victim was transported to a hospital. The Bureau refused to give details, citing concerns about privacy and safety.
The medium-security Arizona prison where Chauvin was transferred in August of 2022 is known to have staffing shortages and security issues. The facility houses 266 inmates, male and female, and is part of a larger complex that has a maximum prison and a minimum security satellite camp, according to Global News.
It was widely believed that the former police officer would be safer in a federal facility. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson suggested that Chauvin be placed near his family, who live in Minnesota and Iowa. Federal officials are not required to abide by judicial suggestions.
Initially, Chauvin had been housed in a maximum-security prison in Minneapolis. His lawyers had lobbied to keep him out of the general population and noted that the 47-year-old had spent the majority of his time in solitary confinement for his own safety.
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder in 2021 and was sentenced to 22.5 years of incarceration by the state of Minnesota. He was also convicted by the federal government of violating Floyd’s civil rights and sentenced to 21 years to be served concurrently.
The stabbing comes roughly one week after the United States Supreme Court declined to hear Chauvin’s appeal. His conviction was upheld by the Minnesota appellate court in April.
"The law only permits police officers to use reasonable force when effecting a lawful arrest," the decision read, per CBS News. "Chauvin crossed that line here when he used unreasonable force on Floyd."
Three other police officers who responded to the call that ultimately culminated in Floyd’s death have been convicted on federal civil rights charges. Former Officer Thomas Lane is serving two and a half years at a minimum-security federal prison camp in Colorado. J. Alexander Kueng is serving three years at a low-security prison in Elkton, Ohio. Tou Thao is serving three and a half years at a minimum-security prison in Lexington, Kentucky.
