MCC New York Metropolitan Correctional Center

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MCC New York Overview

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York occupies a distinctive 12-story brutalist concrete tower at 150 Park Row in the Civic Center neighborhood of Lower Manhattan ([1]). The building sits directly behind the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse at Foley Square, connected to the courthouse by a second-floor pedestrian bridge that allowed inmates to be transported to court appearances without leaving the building complex. That proximity to SDNY — the federal court that prosecutes Wall Street fraud, international terrorism, organized crime, and public corruption — made MCC New York the most consequential pretrial detention center in the federal system.

The facility was designed by the architecture firm Gruzen & Partners and opened in 1975 as the first high-rise detention facility in the Bureau of Prisons system ([2]). It was hailed at the time as a modern advance in jail design, intended to replace antiquated federal detention spaces and provide humane, efficient pretrial housing steps from the courthouse. The building’s design organized inmates into 10 separate, self-contained housing units, each occupying two stories and containing its own recreation area, kitchen facilities, and common space. This design minimized inmate movement through the building and was considered innovative for its era.

The facility’s design capacity was approximately 449 inmates, but by the 2000s it routinely held far more. In 2017, MCC New York housed 796 inmates — nearly double its intended capacity ([1]). The facility held both male and female inmates of all security levels, though the vast majority were pretrial detainees awaiting proceedings in SDNY. A smaller number were serving short sentences or being held temporarily for other purposes.

The building’s housing units included:

• One female wing for women defendants
• Seven General Population male wings — six with cells and one dormitory-style unit
• 9-South — the Special Housing Unit (SHU), used for inmates in administrative segregation, protective custody, or disciplinary confinement
• 10-South — the maximum-security unit, where inmates were locked in single-man cells 23 hours per day under continuous CCTV monitoring with lights on at all times ([1])

The 10-South unit held the facility’s highest-profile and highest-risk inmates. Inmates housed there were subject to Special Administrative Measures (SAMs), which severely restrict communication with other prisoners and the outside world. They ate in their cells, showered in their cells, and left only for one hour of recreation in an indoor cage. No outdoor recreation was permitted. The unit housed terrorism suspects, cartel leaders, and organized crime bosses whose cases or safety required extreme isolation.

The Jeffrey Epstein Case and Its Aftermath

On the morning of August 10, 2019, guards at MCC New York discovered financier Jeffrey Epstein hanged in his cell in the 9-South Special Housing Unit. He was pronounced dead at New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide by hanging ([3]).

Epstein had been arrested on July 6, 2019, on federal sex trafficking charges filed by SDNY prosecutors. He was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls over a period of years. Given his enormous wealth and prior controversial plea deal in Florida, he was denied bail and ordered detained at MCC New York pending trial.

On July 23, 2019, Epstein was found in his cell with marks on his neck in what appeared to be a suicide attempt. He was placed on suicide watch and transferred to the facility’s medical unit. After approximately six days, psychology staff at MCC New York cleared him from suicide watch and determined he should be returned to the SHU with a cellmate. This decision would later be scrutinized as a catastrophic failure of judgment.

Guard Misconduct and Systemic Failures

The DOJ Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an extensive investigation into the circumstances of Epstein’s death, releasing its findings in June 2023. The report documented what it called “numerous and serious failures by MCC New York staff constituting misconduct and dereliction of their duties” ([3]). The key findings included:

• No cellmate assigned: After Epstein was removed from suicide watch, the psychology department determined he needed to be housed with a cellmate. On August 9, Epstein’s cellmate was transferred out of MCC New York. Staff knew Epstein was alone but did not assign a replacement.
• Guards failed to conduct rounds: BOP policy requires SHU staff to observe all inmates every 30 minutes. The two guards assigned to the SHU on the night of August 9–10 — Tova Noel and Michael Thomas — did not conduct any rounds after approximately 10:40 PM on August 9. Epstein was unmonitored and alone for nearly eight hours before he was discovered.
• Falsified records: Both guards falsified count slips and round sheets to show they had performed required checks when they had not. Prosecutors later alleged the guards spent their shift shopping online for furniture and motorcycles, and sleeping at their desks just 15 feet from Epstein’s cell ([4]).
• No cell searches: Only one SHU cell search was documented on August 9, and it was not of Epstein’s cell. Had his cell been searched, it would have revealed excess bed linens, blankets, and clothing — materials that were used in his death.
• Camera system failures: The security camera system in and around the SHU had longstanding deficiencies. Nearly all cameras in the area where Epstein was housed had stopped recording video starting in late July 2019 and continuing through the date of his death. While cameras provided live feeds to monitoring stations, the lack of recorded footage fueled conspiracy theories about the circumstances of his death.
• No inmate counts conducted: None of the required SHU inmate counts were conducted after 4:00 PM on August 9 — meaning Epstein was effectively invisible to the institution for nearly 15 hours.

Criminal Charges Against the Guards

In November 2019, guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were indicted on charges of conspiracy and filing false records related to their failure to check on Epstein. In May 2021, they entered into deferred prosecution agreements with SDNY prosecutors, admitting they had “willfully and knowingly” filled out false documentation. Under the agreements, the guards avoided prison time in exchange for completing community service and cooperating with the investigation. In January 2022, a federal judge formally dismissed the charges upon confirmation that both guards had satisfied the terms of the agreements ([4]).

The DOJ OIG report noted that other MCC New York employees had also created false documentation on earlier dates, but SDNY prosecutors declined to bring charges against them.

Broader Impact

The OIG’s final assessment was blunt: “The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in the report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOP’s custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life.” The report further stated that the BOP’s failures “effectively deprived Epstein’s numerous victims of the opportunity to seek justice through the criminal justice process” ([3]).

The FBI concurrently investigated whether Epstein’s death resulted from criminal conduct by any non-BOP actors and determined it did not. The OIG stated it did not uncover evidence contradicting the FBI’s determination. Nevertheless, the circumstances — broken cameras, sleeping guards, falsified records, a missing cellmate — generated conspiracy theories that persist to this day and continue to drive enormous public interest in MCC New York.

History and Notable Inmates

Before its closure, MCC New York processed many of the most significant federal defendants of the past five decades. Its location steps from the SDNY courthouse meant that anyone arrested on federal charges in Manhattan — whether for terrorism, financial fraud, organized crime, or drug trafficking — was likely to pass through its doors. The facility became a crossroads of American criminal justice history.

Organized Crime

John Gotti, the boss of the Gambino crime family and perhaps the most famous mob boss in American history, was held at MCC New York during his federal racketeering trial. A former associate later told the New York Post that Gotti managed to have his favorite steak delivered to him inside the facility. Gotti’s underboss, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, was also housed at MCC New York before he turned government witness and helped convict his boss in 1992. Jackie D’Amico, another Gambino boss, was similarly held at the facility.

Drug Lords

Mexican cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was housed at MCC New York after his extradition to the United States in January 2017. He was held in the 10-South maximum security unit under extreme SAMs, with no communication allowed with other inmates, for the duration of his 2018–2019 trial in SDNY. He was convicted on all counts in February 2019 and transferred to ADX Florence, the federal supermax prison in Colorado. Drug dealer Frank Lucas — the Harlem heroin kingpin whose life was depicted in the film American Gangster — was also held at MCC New York.

Terrorism Defendants

MCC New York held several of the most significant terrorism defendants in U.S. history. Omar Abdel Rahman (the “Blind Sheikh”), convicted in 1995 for masterminding a plot to bomb the United Nations, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, and the George Washington Bridge, was held at the facility during his trial. Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was also housed there. Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, convicted for his role in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa, was the first former Guantanamo Bay detainee to be tried in civilian court and was held at MCC New York during those proceedings. Sayfullo Saipov, accused of killing eight people in the 2017 Manhattan truck attack, was detained at MCC New York pending trial.

White-Collar Defendants

Bernie Madoff, who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history (an estimated $64.8 billion in fraud), was held at MCC New York after his December 2008 arrest and during his criminal proceedings. He was later sentenced to 150 years in federal prison and transferred to FMC Butner in North Carolina, where he died in April 2021. Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, was transferred to MCC New York in June 2019 to face state charges after his federal conviction for tax fraud and bank fraud.

Arms Dealers and Other High-Profile Inmates

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout — the real-life “Merchant of Death” whose career inspired the film Lord of War — was held at MCC New York after his extradition from Thailand in 2010. He was later convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans and provide material support to a terrorist organization. He was released in a prisoner exchange for WNBA player Brittney Griner in December 2022. Additionally, Abu Hamza al-Masri, a radical cleric convicted of terrorism charges, was held in 10-South before his transfer to ADX Florence.

Conditions Before Closure

The problems at MCC New York did not begin with Epstein’s death. For years before that event, the facility was plagued by overcrowding, deteriorating infrastructure, chronic understaffing, and a documented culture of negligence among staff. The Epstein case simply brought national attention to conditions that had been worsening for decades.

Overcrowding and Staffing Shortages

MCC New York was designed for 449 inmates but routinely held far more. By 2017, the population had reached 796 inmates — 77% over design capacity ([1]). This overcrowding strained every aspect of facility operations: housing, food service, medical care, recreation time, and security. Meanwhile, the facility was chronically understaffed. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 25% of staff positions at MCC New York were vacant. Workers assigned to non-security roles, such as refilling soap dispensers, were pressed into duty as correctional officers ([5]).

Infrastructure Decay

The 9-South SHU — where Epstein was housed — had leaky plumbing, pools of standing water and sewage, and rodent and cockroach infestations ([1]). The Los Angeles Times reported that inmates referred to MCC New York as the “Guantanamo of New York.” The New York Times documented severe conditions in the administrative segregation units. The DOJ OIG conducted a site visit on March 15, 2022 — after the facility was already closed — and found the building in a state of critical disrepair ([6]).

Gun Smuggling and Staff Corruption

In March 2020, the facility went on a weeklong lockdown after officials received a tip that a firearm had been smuggled inside. Investigators found a handgun and uncovered additional contraband including cellphones, narcotics, and homemade weapons. The discovery triggered an ongoing criminal probe into guard misconduct. Then-Attorney General William Barr launched a DOJ task force to address criminal misconduct by correctional officers at several federal facilities, with MCC New York as a central focus ([5]).

COVID-19 Crisis

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, MCC New York employees were unable to get masks, and staff restrooms ran out of soap. A court-authorized inspection in May 2020 found that inmates with coronavirus symptoms were neglected and ignored, social distancing was almost nonexistent, and some inmates were sleeping on bunks within arm’s reach of each other. These findings added to mounting pressure for the facility’s closure.

Additional Documented Failures

In the months before the formal closure announcement, MCC New York faced additional scandals. An inmate whose lawyer described him as having the mental capacity of an eight-year-old child was reportedly left in a holding cell for 24 hours while awaiting a competency evaluation, violating BOP regulations. A correctional officer reported sexual misconduct by a superior, which facility officials delayed reporting to senior BOP leadership ([5]). The facility also experienced a revolving door of wardens, contributing to a lack of consistent leadership and accountability.

Current Status of MCC New York

On August 26, 2021, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced that MCC New York would be closed at least temporarily to address the cascade of problems that had come to light. The announcement came weeks after Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco personally toured the facility and saw the conditions firsthand ([5]).

At the time of the closure announcement, 233 inmates remained at the facility — down from a normal population of 600 or more. Those inmates were transferred primarily to MDC Brooklyn, the only remaining federal detention facility in New York City. The DOJ stated it would close the facility “at least temporarily, until those issues have been resolved” but provided no timetable for reopening.

OIG Infrastructure Assessment

In March 2022, DOJ OIG staff conducted a site visit to MCC New York and classified the building as being in critical disrepair ([6]). The OIG’s infrastructure report on the federal prison system highlighted MCC New York as a case study in deferred maintenance and institutional neglect. The building’s electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and security systems all required substantial renovation or replacement.

Migrant Shelter Proposal

In August 2023, New York City proposed using the shuttered MCC New York building to house migrants arriving in the city during the ongoing immigration crisis. The proposal underscored the fact that the federal government had no imminent plans to reopen the facility for its intended purpose. As of early 2026, the building remains closed, and no official reopening timeline has been announced by the BOP or DOJ ([7]).

Where Are SDNY Defendants Held Now?

With MCC New York closed, pretrial defendants facing SDNY charges are primarily housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (MDC Brooklyn). MDC Brooklyn has its own well-documented history of problems, including a 2019 power outage that left inmates without heat or electricity for over a week during winter, chronic overcrowding, and conditions that have prompted federal judges to refuse to send defendants there. In January 2026, MDC Brooklyn gained renewed international attention when former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was detained there following his capture by U.S. authorities.

Some SDNY defendants have also been held at facilities in New Jersey or other nearby jurisdictions, depending on bed space availability and security requirements.

MCC New York Facility Details

How Federal Case Consulting Helps SDNY Defendants

If you or someone you care about is facing federal charges in the Southern District of New York, the pretrial phase is one of the most critical — and most stressful — periods you will experience. With MCC New York closed and pretrial detention now handled primarily through MDC Brooklyn, understanding the current landscape is essential. Federal Case Consulting provides hands-on guidance from people who have been through the federal system ourselves.

Here is specifically what we do for clients facing SDNY proceedings:

1. Pretrial detention advocacy — If you are detained pretrial, the conditions and location of your detention matter enormously. We help you and your attorney understand the current detention options for SDNY defendants, navigate the bail and detention process, and advocate for the most favorable conditions possible given your case circumstances.
2. Pre-Sentence Report preparation — The PSR is the most important document in your federal case. It determines your guideline range, your security designation, and your eligibility for programs that can reduce your sentence. We review every line, identify errors, and prepare objections with your attorney before the sentencing hearing.
3. Sentencing hearing preparation — We prepare you for allocution, coordinate character letters, and develop a sentencing memorandum strategy with your legal team. A well-prepared sentencing presentation can mean the difference between years in prison.
4. Designation strategy — After sentencing, the BOP’s Designation and Sentence Computation Center determines where you will serve your time. We analyze your security point calculation, medical and program needs, family location, and other factors to advocate for the best possible facility designation.
5. Self-surrender preparation — We walk you through exactly what to bring, what to expect on day one, how to navigate intake, and how to establish yourself safely in the first critical weeks. We prepare you physically, mentally, and logistically for what lies ahead.
6. RDAP and First Step Act strategy — If you have a documented substance use history, the Residential Drug Abuse Program can take up to 12 months off your sentence. We ensure the proper documentation is in your PSR before sentencing and guide you through the enrollment process. We also map out First Step Act earned time credits to maximize your path to early release. Read our complete RDAP guide.
7. Family support — We help your family understand the process, manage finances during your absence, navigate the visiting system, and maintain family bonds throughout your incarceration.
8. Post-conviction advocacy — Once you are inside, we continue to advise on program participation, compassionate release eligibility, halfway house placement, and home confinement strategy under the Second Chance Act.

Frequently Asked Questions About MCC New York

Is MCC New York still open?

No. MCC New York has been closed since August 2021. The Bureau of Prisons shut the facility down after Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco toured the building and witnessed its deteriorating conditions. The closure was announced as “at least temporary,” but as of early 2026, no reopening date has been set. The DOJ OIG classified the building as being in critical disrepair after a March 2022 site visit. The facility’s electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and security systems all require substantial renovation. Pretrial defendants facing SDNY charges are now held primarily at MDC Brooklyn.

How did Jeffrey Epstein die at MCC New York?

Jeffrey Epstein was found hanged in his cell in the 9-South Special Housing Unit on the morning of August 10, 2019. The New York City Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide. The DOJ Inspector General’s investigation found that two guards assigned to his unit — Tova Noel and Michael Thomas — failed to conduct required 30-minute rounds, slept on duty, and falsified records to cover their neglect. Epstein had been left unmonitored and alone for approximately eight hours. He should have had a cellmate but staff failed to assign one after his previous cellmate was transferred. Nearly all security cameras in his area had stopped recording weeks earlier. The guards entered deferred prosecution agreements, completed community service, and had their criminal charges dismissed in January 2022 ([3], [4]).

Which famous inmates were held at MCC New York?

MCC New York held an extraordinary concentration of high-profile defendants over its 46 years of operation. Notable inmates included John Gotti (Gambino crime family boss), Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán (Sinaloa cartel leader), Bernie Madoff ($64.8 billion Ponzi scheme), Jeffrey Epstein (sex trafficking), Paul Manafort (Trump campaign chairman), Omar Abdel Rahman (the “Blind Sheikh”), Ramzi Yousef (1993 World Trade Center bombing), Frank Lucas (Harlem drug lord), Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano (Gambino underboss), Viktor Bout (Russian arms dealer), and Abu Hamza al-Masri (radical cleric). No other pretrial facility in the country has held a comparable roster.

Where are SDNY defendants held now that MCC New York is closed?

With MCC New York closed, SDNY pretrial defendants are held primarily at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (MDC Brooklyn), the only remaining federal detention facility in New York City. MDC Brooklyn is located at 80 29th Street in the Sunset Park neighborhood. It has its own well-documented problems, including overcrowding, a 2019 weeklong power outage during winter, and conditions that have prompted judges to criticize the facility. Some defendants may also be held at facilities in New Jersey or other nearby jurisdictions depending on bed space and security needs. If you are facing SDNY charges, contact us at 612-605-3989 to discuss your pretrial situation.

What was the 10-South unit at MCC New York?

The 10-South unit was MCC New York’s maximum-security wing, located on the building’s upper floors. Inmates there were locked in single-person cells 23 hours per day with lights on at all times and continuous CCTV monitoring. Cells were equipped with showers so inmates never left for bathing. The only time outside the cell was one hour of recreation in an indoor cage — no outdoor recreation was permitted. Most 10-South inmates were subject to Special Administrative Measures (SAMs), which severely restricted all communication. The unit held the facility’s most high-profile and dangerous inmates, including El Chapo, terrorism suspects, and international arms dealers. The New York Times described 10-South as having “severe security measures” that surpassed virtually any other federal pretrial setting ([1]).

Will MCC New York ever reopen?

That remains uncertain. The DOJ announced the closure as “at least temporary” in August 2021, but more than four years later, no reopening date has been announced. The DOJ OIG found the building in critical disrepair, and the scope of renovations required — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security cameras, housing units — would cost tens of millions of dollars and take years to complete. In 2023, New York City proposed using the building to house migrants, suggesting the federal government had no imminent plans to reactivate it. The BOP has not issued any formal statements about the facility’s future. Given the building’s age (opened 1975), the extent of deterioration, and the political controversy surrounding it, a full demolition and rebuild or permanent closure remains a possibility.

What happened to MCC New York’s guards after the Epstein scandal?

The two guards directly responsible for monitoring Epstein on the night he died — Tova Noel and Michael Thomas — were charged in November 2019 with conspiracy and filing false records. They entered deferred prosecution agreements in May 2021, admitting they falsified records and failed to conduct required rounds. Under the deals, they avoided prison time in exchange for community service and cooperation. A federal judge dismissed the charges in January 2022 after confirming they met the agreement terms ([4]). The DOJ OIG found that other staff also created false documentation, but SDNY prosecutors declined to charge them. The OIG’s 2023 report also identified broader systemic issues including staffing shortages, management failures, and a culture of disregard for BOP policies that extended well beyond the two guards.

Related Pages

• Federal Prisons — Complete Guide to the BOP System
• Federal Administrative Facilities
• Federal High Security Prisons (USPs)
• Federal Medium Security Prisons
• Federal Low Security Prisons (FCIs)
• Federal Minimum Security Prisons (Camps)
• Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
• Preparing for Federal Prison
• Federal Pre-Sentence Report Guide
• Post-Conviction Services
• Family Support Services
• RDAP and Federal Prison Sentence Reduction

Sources:

[1] Wikipedia, Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York. en.wikipedia.org

[2] New York Times, New Detention Center at Foley Sq. Is Hailed as Advance in Jail Design (July 26, 1975). nytimes.com

[3] DOJ Office of Inspector General, Investigation and Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York (June 27, 2023). oig.justice.gov

[4] U.S. Attorney’s Office, SDNY, Correctional Officers Charged With Falsifying Records on August 9th and 10th at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. justice.gov

[5] NPR, U.S. Is Closing The Troubled NYC Jail Where Jeffrey Epstein Killed Himself (August 26, 2021). npr.org

[6] DOJ Office of Inspector General, MCC New York — Infrastructure Assessment (March 2022 site visit). oig.justice.gov

[7] The Hill / AP, New York City Suggests Housing Migrants in Jail Shuttered After Jeffrey Epstein’s Suicide (August 9, 2023). thehill.com

Disclaimer: Federal Case Consulting does not act as your legal representation and cannot guarantee any outcomes. The information on this page is for educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation. Bureau of Prisons policies, facility designations, and program availability are subject to change without notice. MCC New York is currently closed, and the information on this page reflects conditions as they existed prior to closure and publicly available reporting on the facility’s status. The status of the facility may change at any time.