U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Correctional Center New York, New York For Immediate Release August 10, 2019 Contact: Lee Plourde Public Information Officer (646) 836-6300 ## Inmate Death at the MCC New York New York, NY: On Saturday, August 10, 2019, at approximately 6:30 a.m., inmate Jeffrey Edward Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell in the Special Housing Unit from an apparent suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York, New York. Life-saving measures were initiated immediately by responding staff. Staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Epstein was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff. The FBI is investigating the incident. Mr. Epstein was a 66-year-old male who arrived at MCC New York on July 6, 2019 under pretrial status after being indicted for sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy. MCC New York is an Administrative security facility that currently houses 763 male offenders in New York, New York. Additional information about the Federal Bureau of Prisons can be found at www.bop.gov. ### ### EFTA00139151 # MCC NEW YORK UPDATES ## Correctional Services ## Inmate Accountability: SHU - A whiteboard has been installed in the Special Housing Unit identifying the cell assignment of each inmate and pertinent information of each inmate which aids in accountability. This assists in correcting cell assignment discrepancies and aid in identifying programing needs (3 man hold, razor restriction, etc.). - TDY Staff have been assisting Correctional Services with vacant positions; Correctional Officers, Lieutenant’s and Deputy Captain. - Addition to the Captains 2 hour SHU video review, IDO’s are reviewing 6 hours of SHU video encompassing all three shift weekly. - IDO’s are conduction Bed book counts on weekends during the 10:00 am count. - Single cell report emailed to the Warden each shift and receives approval memorandum for each. - Morning Watch Lieutenant supervises one count in SHU and is documented in the LT’s Log. ## Psychology - Running Hospital Rosters Every Morning to see if inmates on SW are in the proper cells according to their Sentry assignments. Inconsistencies are reported the Associate Warden of Programs. Further, C&A is contacted to make appropriate corrections on the roster. - Court rosters are reviewed every day to see if any Psy Alerts are going out to court so that we can check in with them upon their return. - PSY ALERT inmate assignments are considered for inmates with ongoing risk factors associated with suicidality (e.g., sex offender status, high profile) even regardless of whether they exhibit substantial acute mental health symptoms. - The Chief Psychologist has written a new procedural Memorandum for Psy Alert inmates which is undergoing review in Central Office. - Psychology has been routing Hot List via e-mail to Lieutenant's and Executive Staff each time new inmates are added to the hot list. EFTA00139152 # MCC NEW YORK UPDATES - Psychology has been providing feedback at Executive Staff Meetings regarding inmates at-risk for suicidality and discussing cellmate placement (both GP and SHU) for inmates with significant mental health issues and suicide risk factors. - When inmates are added and released from Suicide Watch, an email and a phone call is made to Warden and the Operations Lieutenant notifying them of the addition or termination of the watch as well as their need for cellmates. This recommendation is also placed in the Post Suicide Watch Report in PDS and the psychologist indicates exactly who they contacted about the inmate's need for a cellmate in the recommendation section of the report. - Suicide Watch Books are reviewed daily by a psychologist and audited to see if the Unit Officer and Lieutenant make appropriate rounds and signed the log books each shift (MW, DW, and EW). Inconsistencies are sent to the Captain and Associate Warden of Programs. ## Correctional Systems Since September 9, 2019, inmates have been tracked when released from court by utilizing the PP63 Sentry function as opposed to tracking by out count. There has been no issues to date utilizing this procedure. - All releases are being reviewed by a higher authority other than the CSO/SCSS. Typically reviewed by the Case Management Coordinator. ## Correctional Programs ## Inmate Accountability: - New bed books have been provided to each unit. A daily schedule of bed book counts has been established to ensure appropriate accountability of all inmates. Bed book counts are notated in the Daily Lieutenant Logs for Executive Staff review. Additionally, an Executive Staff member is present each evening to monitor this process and identify discrepancies. All discrepancies are typically corrected immediately. SDNY_00017562 EFTA00139153 # MCC NEW YORK UPDATES - Daily Camera status reports of the status of high priority areas; SHU, 10 South, Suicided Watch, Female unit and 3 Sally. ## Facilities ## Cameras: - The FBI removed the previous camera system (DVR) and the new system (NVR) has been installed and is operational. 13 Additional cameras have been added in SHU which are digital. Within the next 6 months additional cameras will be added to the system with a target completion date of April 2020. - MCC has a total of 142 cameras. Currently, 141 cameras are connected to the NICE DVR System and are operational and recording. The 1 camera is inoperable and in the process of being replaced (bad camera). The anticipated date of completion is within the next two weeks. - The new NVR has the capability to monitor and record 350 cameras. The following locations have been identified as needing coverage: elevators, receiving and discharge, all inmate housing units, sallyports, and outside perimeter. Summary - To date all information requested by OIG and FBI has been provided. - Health Services has received the autopsy results from the NY Medical Examiner’s office on inmate Epstein and is secured - TDY staff assigned to NYM have all been hard working and team players. - Staff morale at MCC New York is average in light of the most recent event; however, they are resilient and working hard as a team to move forward. They have embraced the TDY staff that have arrived and have been extremely courteous and receptive to ensure everyone works together. SDNY_00017563 EFTA00139154 # MCC NEW YORK UPDATES ## Current Assessment: Some of the issues identified are due to seriously reduced staffing levels, improper or lack of training, and follow up and oversight. Since January 1, 2019, MCC New York has hired 18 staff and lost 33 staff to retirement, and transfers within the BOP and other agencies. To date approximately 148 staff from multiple regions assisted NYM which we are very grateful for their assistance. All subject matter TDY staff are required to provide a report to the Warden prior to their departure. This report is similar to a Program Review report and includes areas of concern, tasks done well and recommendations. These reports will be shared with the Associate Wardens and Department Heads for guidance. Further, to ensure the training and efforts that will occur is sustainable, there will need to be continuous oversight by leadership. Therefore, several positions will need to be added to the staff compliment, such as an Associate Warden over Correctional Services, a Deputy Captain, and an Assistant Case Management Coordinator, Assistant Food Services Administrator, to name a few. SDNY_00017564