Violence and Dysfunction at Brooklyn Federal Jail
Criminal charges have been unsealed, shedding light on violence and dysfunction at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, where celebrities Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried are being held.
Stabbing Incidents
Two inmates were stabbed to death, while another was speared in the spine with a makeshift icepick, according to the charges.
Inmate Arrests
Nine inmates were charged in connection with attacks from April to August, including murder and conspiracy charges. The defendants are: Andrew Simpson, Devone Thomas, Jamaul Aziz, James Bazemore, Alberto Santiago, and four others who are accused of non-fatal assaults.
Messages were left with lawyers representing Thomas, Aziz, Bazemore, and Santiago, and Simpson’s lawyer declined to comment.
Correctional Officer Charged
Leon Wilson, a 49-year-old correctional officer, was charged with a civil rights violation for shooting at a car during an unauthorized high-speed chase in September 2023. Prosecutors said Wilson drove over 80 miles per hour, racing through red lights and narrowly avoiding other vehicles, before returning to his post without reporting the incident.
Wilson’s lawyer did not comment.
Bureau of Prisons Response
The Bureau of Prisons is working to remedy problems at the Brooklyn jail, including addressing staffing and maintenance issues. The agency has increased staffing by about 20% and tackled a substantial maintenance backlog. Over four weeks in the spring, workers completed more than 800 work orders for repair and infrastructure improvements.
A group of senior Bureau of Prisons officials, known as the Urgent Action Team, is focusing on bringing the Brooklyn jail back to adequate staffing levels and ensuring it is in good repair.
Conclusion
The violence and dysfunction at the Brooklyn federal jail are unacceptable and illustrate the need for continued effort to address problems within the Bureau of Prisons.
FAQs
What is the current situation at the Brooklyn federal jail?
The jail has been plagued by violence, including two stabbing incidents in which inmates were killed and another in which an inmate was speared in the spine with a makeshift icepick.
Who has been charged in connection with the attacks?
Nine inmates have been charged, including four who face murder and conspiracy charges. A correctional officer was also charged with a civil rights violation for shooting at a car during an unauthorized high-speed chase.
What is being done to address the problems at the jail?
The Bureau of Prisons is working to address staffing and maintenance issues, including increasing staffing by about 20% and tackling a substantial maintenance backlog. The agency is also implementing new safety measures and providing additional training for staff.
What has been the response from law enforcement and prison officials?
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace has stressed that violence will not be tolerated in federal jails, and the Bureau of Prisons has stated that it takes seriously addressing the challenges at the MDC Brooklyn.
How is celebrity inmate Sean “Diddy” Combs being monitored?
Combs is being closely monitored while awaiting trial in his sex trafficking case. His lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to have him released from the troubled jail.
