Metro Detention Center Brooklyn: A Deep Dive

The Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (MDC Brooklyn) is a federal detention center located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and houses male and female inmates awaiting trial or sentencing in federal court.

MDC Brooklyn is one of the largest detention centers in the United States, with a capacity of over 1,600 inmates. The facility is known for its harsh conditions and overcrowding, and has been the site of numerous protests and lawsuits over the years.

History

MDC Brooklyn was opened in 1990 as a replacement for the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (MCC New York), which was located in the Manhattan neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. MCC New York was a notoriously overcrowded and violent facility, and MDC Brooklyn was intended to provide a more humane and secure environment for inmates.

However, MDC Brooklyn has also been plagued by overcrowding and violence. In 2019, the BOP reported that MDC Brooklyn was operating at 120% of its capacity. The facility has also been the site of numerous lawsuits over the years, alleging that inmates have been subjected to excessive force, inadequate medical care, and other abuses.

Conditions

MDC Brooklyn is a highly secure facility, with armed guards patrolling the perimeter and interior of the building. Inmates are housed in cells that are typically 8 feet by 10 feet, with a bed, a desk, and a toilet. The cells are often overcrowded, and inmates may have to share a cell with multiple other people.

The conditions at MDC Brooklyn have been criticized by inmates and advocates for years. In 2019, the BOP's own Office of the Inspector General released a report that found that MDC Brooklyn was "overcrowded, understaffed, and in need of major repairs." The report also found that inmates were being subjected to excessive force, inadequate medical care, and other abuses.

Protests and Lawsuits

MDC Brooklyn has been the site of numerous protests and lawsuits over the years. In 2015, inmates at the facility staged a hunger strike to protest the conditions of their confinement. In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the BOP, alleging that inmates at MDC Brooklyn were being subjected to excessive force, inadequate medical care, and other abuses.

The Future of MDC Brooklyn

The future of MDC Brooklyn is uncertain. In 2019, the BOP announced that it was planning to close the facility. However, the plans have been met with resistance from local officials and community groups, who argue that the facility is needed to house the growing number of federal inmates in the New York City area.

It is unclear whether the BOP will ultimately decide to close MDC Brooklyn. However, it is clear that the facility is in need of major reforms. The conditions at MDC Brooklyn are simply unacceptable, and the BOP must take steps to address the overcrowding, violence, and other abuses that are taking place at the facility.

How to Get Help

If you or someone you know is being held at MDC Brooklyn, there are a number of resources available to you. You can contact the following organizations for help:

• The Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300
• The Prisoners' Legal Services of New York (PLSNY): (212) 577-3200
• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): (212) 549-2500

These organizations can provide you with legal assistance, support, and information about your rights.

Conclusion

MDC Brooklyn is a complex and troubled facility. The conditions at the facility are unacceptable, and the BOP must take steps to address the overcrowding, violence, and other abuses that are taking place. If you or someone you know is being held at MDC Brooklyn, there are a number of resources available to you. Please contact one of the organizations listed above for help.