Concerns grow over safety of incarcerated people at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn
News 12 is learning more about medical staffing issues at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn amid concerns about the safety of its inmates.
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News 12 is learning more about medical staffing issues at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn amid concerns about the safety of its inmates.
Rallies have been held to advocate against issues there, including lack of heat, not enough food and lack of medical care.
MORE: Bureau of Prisons: Hot water repaired at Metropolitan Detention Center
New details have now emerged on the center's medical staffing amid recent court cases.
The prison holds high-profile inmates, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Luigi Mangione.
MORE: Elected leaders rally at Metropolitan Detention Center for basic necessities for detainees
The Bureau of Prisons tells News 12 it currently has two medical doctors and one physician on staff. It added that it is authorized to add another physician, but the position has been vacant for four years, despite active recruiting.
The prison is said to have more than 1,000 incarcerated people.
News 12 spoke with Anisah Sabur, who was formerly incarcerated at a different prison in New York.
Now, she advocates for the rights of other incarcerated individuals with the #HALTsolitary campaign.
“When I got out of prison, I was diagnosed with diabetes. For lack of exams, testing, treatment. I didn't know what I was suffering from, but I knew I was suffering,” said Sabur.
News 12 spoke with the girlfriend of an inmate at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, who wanted to remain anonymous, but says she is concerned for his safety because of the medical treatment.
“{It’s} very bad, if they have any medical concerns, it might take months to be treated. They sometimes pretend to commit suicide to get medical assistance,” she claims.
News 12 reached out to the Bureau of Prisons, which said: “The Federal Bureau of Prisons, including the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn, takes seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as addressing the staffing challenges at MDC Brooklyn. That is why, earlier this year, the Director appointed an Urgent Action Team to take a holistic look at the challenges at MDC Brooklyn.”
