EFTA00138579¶
Re: Tartaglione 78514-054¶
From¶
To¶
Date¶
2019/12/19 11:13¶
Subject:¶
Re: Tartaglione 78514-054¶
Attachments:¶
TEXT.htm¶
SDNY_00016444 Page 9014¶
Page 230¶
EFTA00138580¶
As an update, I spoke with the AUSAs. They advised the Court thee was no video because the FBI had the DVR (pulled for the 8/10 incident) which went back to the 7/23 attempt. The FBI reported the DVR footage was corrupted as to the 7/23 video and, thus there was no footage. The AUSAs are asking that SIS check to see where preserved the 7/22-23 video to see if that copy is not corrupted. They will be reaching out to her directly.¶
The AUSAs also want to know where the orange rope from the 7/23 attempt is preserved.¶
Deputy Regional Counsel¶
Northeast Regional Office¶
U.S. Customs House¶
2nd and Chestnut Streets¶
Philadelphia, PA 19106¶
p:¶
f:¶
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/jail-video-surveillance-from-jeffrey-epsteins-first-suicide-attempt-in-july-is-missing-prosecutor-says-according-to-reports/ar-BBY92ur¶
Good morning all,¶
Per the above article, the Court was advised by the USAO that MCC did not preserve video from outside the cell shared by Tartaglione and Epstein at the time of Epstein’s alleged first suicide attempt. However, per the attached, SIS advised the footage was preserved. What search for the footage was performed prior to advising the USAO the footage could not be found? I would recommend searching again for the missing video. I have a call with the AUSAs in 20 minutes and will advise as to what other issues arose at yesterday’s hearing.¶
Thank you,¶
Deputy Regional Counsel¶
Northeast Regional Office¶
U.S. Customs House¶
2nd and Chestnut Streets¶
Philadelphia, PA 19106¶
p:¶
f:¶
SDNY_00016445 Page 9015¶
Page 231¶
EFTA00138581¶
Sorry this is the best that I can do on the fly from my phone. I hope this helps. If you should need anything else please feel free to contact me.¶
Thanks again.¶
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone¶
Subject: UPDATE: Media inquiry - due today - NY Daily News - re: conditions at MCC NY post-Epstein¶
Here is an updated version for the moment¶
Reporter:¶
Stephen Brown - NY DAILY NEWS¶
Questions & Proposed Responses:¶
SDNY_00016446 Page 9019¶
Page 232¶
EFTA00138582¶
Hello, I’m working on a story about morale at MCC in Manhattan in the wake of charges against Tova Noel and Michael Thomas. I’ve spoken to an AFGE union official and Thomas’s defense attorney. The story will run over the weekend so I’d appreciate a response by COB today.¶
The thrust of the story is that morale has plummeted at the facility in the wake of the falsification of documents charges. Morale was already bad because of staffing issues. The story will also note that the facility itself is in very bad shape and that, according to people I spoke to, there has not been a hiring surge or any major reforms in the wake of Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide.¶
(1) Has any money been allocated for improving MCC as a facility since Epstein’s death?¶
RESPONSE: Yes, examples include money for staff positions at MCC New York (are we saying we are adding staff positions in the future or have already added them and already hired new staff now working there after Epstein’s death) and overtime work performed at MCC New York by staff on temporary assignment from other Bureau of Prisons correctional institutions. The BOP has expended over $500,000 bringing staff to MCC New York from other facilities (since Epstein?).¶
MCC New York has spent approximately 2.6 million in infrastructure repairs since March 2019 and continues to make appropriate enhancements and repairs thought the facility.¶
(2) Has there been a hiring surge since Epstein’s suicide?¶
RESPONSE: 21 staff have been hired since inmate Epstein’s death. (I may need to confirm with Central Office’s HRM)¶
(3) Any changes in BOP policies following Epstein’s suicide?¶
RESPONSE: will get more info to supplement this: There have been a number of policy changes implemented under a “back to basics” approach in recent months. MCC NY has made several chances and implementing managerial oversite pertaining to inmate accountability. This includes reviewing restrictive housing (SHU) video footage to ensure rounds are conducted timely and accurately, lieutenants conducting counts in (SHU) on morning watch, staff conducting single cell reports for inmates housed alone in cells, and mandatory notification to the warden for review of inmates placed on suicide watch. In addition daily bed book audits supervised by Executive Staff.¶
(4) Is it correct that Noel and Thomas were responsible for roughly 50 to 70 inmates the night of the suicide?¶
RESPONSE: The BOP does not comment on matters related to investigations or pending litigation.¶
(5) What is the attrition rate for BOP correctional officers? What’s the average length of time a person stays in the job? (NYC-area would be best if it’s available.)¶
RESPONSE: is checking to see if HRM can answer this; if not, then we could say the following: Some staff have been working at MCC New York for 30 years. However the average staff member assigned to MCC NY has 11.5 years with the agency.¶
SDNY_00016447¶
Page 9020¶
Page 233¶
EFTA00138583¶
(6) Can you share anything supervisors at MCC have told the rank and file in the wake of these charges? What’s the message to overworked, disgruntled correctional officers?¶
RESPONSE: MCC New York Executive staff have been transparent with staff pertaining to staffing levels and its progress on hiring. Management has worked with the local union representatives and held a recruitment fair which was held in August to recruit Correctional Officers. The Executive staff has held staff recalls and meetings emphasizing that the institution’s leadership understands staff’s concerns and is doing the best to increase staffing levels. Staff have been told and regularly see the many staff who are assigned temporarily to MCC New York from all over the country to assist with shortages in multiple departments at MCC New York from correctional services, food service, safety, education, psychology, medical mechanical services. As new positions post and staff see temporary staff coming in to alleviate the burdens of overtime work, the morale at MCC NY is improving.¶
Public Information Office¶
Federal Bureau of Prisons¶
SDNY_00016448 Page 9021¶
Page 234¶