Brooklyn Jail Goes Without Heat For Days During Brutal Cold Snap

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

As temperatures in New York City plunged to the single digits this week, some inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn have been forced to endure the frigid weather without heat, hot water, or other essential services, according to their attorneys.

"We have received dozens of reports of problems with a lack of heat, hot water, lighting, prolonged lockdowns, and medical care," David Patton, executive director of the Federal Defenders of New York, told Gothamist on Friday. He shared emails from multiple defense attorneys, who say their clients described deteriorating conditions at the federal jail that could prove "fatal."

Those emails show that over a dozen inmates complained to attorneys on Thursday about not having heat or electricity in their cells since this past weekend—something that the jail's corrections officers confirmed to the Times earlier today.

"They just stay huddled up in the bed," June Bencebi, a case manager and treasurer of the correction officers union, told the outlet. "I have several inmates that are very elderly. One of them complained that he’s been sick for the last few days. He looks sickly. He’s walking slower. Talking slower."

The more than 1,600 inmates incarcerated at the Sunset Park federal facility—some of whom are pretrial detainees who haven't been convicted of any crime—have not been allowed to meet with legal representation for a full week, according to Patton. In addition to the power outages, detainees report been cut off from their medicine, from hot meals, and from basic hygiene products in the last week, according to attorneys.

Councilmember Justin Brannan, who represents the area, told Gothamist that he's received similarly concerning reports, but that very little information was being provided to families of those locked up. "There remains a lot of confusion and concern because we believe this has been going on for several days and we still don’t know why or what exactly is actually going on," he added.

A spokesperson for the warden, Herman Quay, told the Times there was an electrical fire at the jail over the weekend, but denied any heating or hot water outages at the jail. The alleged breakdown at MDC come after reports of disruptions at the facility during the government shutdown (which the jail also denied). While the government reopened last Friday, the fire may have exacerbated ongoing issues, according to court papers filed on Thursday.

The affidavit, filed by defense attorney Benjamin Yaster, seeks the emergency release of inmate Dino Sanchez, citing threats to his health and safety posed by the ongoing power outages. The complaint alleges that Sanchez's unit has been without heat since January 27th, aggravating his chronic asthma and causing fainting spells.

"Mr. Sanchez has only been given the single, thin blanket he received upon intake," according to the filing. "He has not been provided any additional blankets or clothing while the heat is out. Further, hot water has been unavailable for long stretches of time.”

Moreover, the inmate has allegedly been prevented from purchasing any additional clothing or blankets, as his unit has been denied commissary for the last week. Sanchez is locked up for 23 hours per day, according to the complaint, and "is likely to have another episode." He's been barred from accessing email, visitors, or phone calls, and has been illegally prevented from meeting with his attorney, the complaint alleges.

Patton added that the public defenders demanded a tour of the facility on Friday, but were rebuffed. Asked whether he had any indication of the cause of the reported chaos at the jail, or a timeline of when the problems might be solved, he replied: "We don't know. They will not tell us."

UPDATE 4:55 p.m. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons issues the following statement:

Currently, MDC Brooklyn is experiencing a partial power outage. The institution is operating on emergency power, cells have heat and hot water, there is lighting in the common areas and inmates are receiving hot meals.

At this time, access for inmates to phones and inmate messaging, as well as commissary is temporarily affected. However, essential personal hygiene items and medical services continue to be provided.

Unrelated to the partial power outage, MDC Brooklyn has been placed on limited operational status. The institution remains secure.

Con Edison has been dealing with numerous power emergencies in the community. MDC Brooklyn is working with Con Edison to resolve the issue as soon as possible.