U. S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Metropolitan Detention Center
Brooklyn, NY
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For Immediate Release
February 3, 2019

Contact: Valery Logan
Public Information Officer
(718) 840-4200

*** Update *** Partial Power Outage at the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn, NY: On January 27, 2019, Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn
experienced a partial power outage due to a fire in the switch gear room. The West building has
limited power in some areas; however, the East building was unaffected. All affected areas have
lights that are on the emergency lighting circuit which is being fed by the utility company.
The new electrical panel was installed by an outside contractor on February 2, 2019, and a work
ticket has been submitted by the electrical contractor to schedule a work crew to restore power to
the new temporary service switch once the remaining part is obtained. Work is expected be
completed by Monday, February 4, 2019.
Heating to the building is provided via a boiler, which was not affected by the power outage.
Inmates have hot water for showers and hot water in the sinks in the cell. Essential personal
hygiene items and medical services continue to be provided. The facility has accepted resources
from the New York City Emergency Management and the New York Department of Corrections.
The inmate telephones, inmate computers, and inmate televisions do not have electrical power at
this time because of the electrical issue. The inmate’s public defender phones are operational.
Staff telephones in the unit officer stations are operational.
Medical staff have checked and continue to check each inmate cell-by-cell periodically and
continue to dispense required medications and address the medical needs of the inmate
population. Legal visits will be available today.
Tours of the facility were provided on February 1, and February 2, 2019, to representatives and
staff from the United States Congress. All representatives were able to walk the facility, talk to
inmates and staff and observe institution conditions.
We continue to work expeditiously to restore power to the facility as quickly as possible.
Additional information about the Federal Bureau of Prisons can be found at www.bop.gov.
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