“Hell on Earth” they call it. That’s what some former inmates of the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn say. This isn’t just any prison. It’s a federal administrative detention center in Sunset Park Brooklyn. It holds both men and women. It houses people awaiting trial or sentencing. It’s also infamous for its conditions.
The Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn was proposed in 1988. The Federal Bureau of Prisons needed more space. The Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City was overcrowded. MDC Brooklyn opened in the 1990s. Initially designed for 1000 inmates it quickly swelled to 1600. By 1999 a second building opened. It houses inmates already sentenced. Together the buildings hold nearly 3000 people.
The stories coming out of the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn are disturbing. Inadequate food clothing medicine and bedding are common complaints. Former inmates describe cold dark and disturbing conditions. Water damage black mold and leaky cells are rampant. There’s little to no access to sunlight or exercise.
Lawsuits and criminal charges highlight these problems. In 2002 Muslim inmates sued alleging beatings strip searches and abuse. Guards have faced arrests for assault and sexual abuse. A 2016 case involved three guards charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate. Even recently a correctional officer was arrested for smuggling drugs. A power outage caused a suicidal inmate to try to kill himself. His cellmate had to physically stop him.
A federal judge ruled to stop sending pretrial inmates to the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn. Yet Luigi Mangione the assassin of a United Healthcare CEO ended up there. This highlights the ongoing concern about conditions. Many high-profile inmates have been held at MDC Brooklyn. Recent examples include Sean “Diddy” Combs and Luigi Mangione. Others like R Kelly Fetty Wap and 6ix9ine have also been incarcerated there.
The Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is a controversial facility. The inmates committed serious crimes. However the conditions are appalling. Whether the crimes justify the treatment is a matter of debate. It’s a complex story. It’s a story that demands attention and reform. It’s a story etched into the very walls of this institution. A story whispered from cell to cell.