Janice R. Andrews
Brooklyn’s Notorious Jail Faces Scrutiny as Diddy Becomes Its Latest High-Profile Inmate
The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, infamous for its dangerous and overcrowded conditions, is back in the spotlight. The federal facility, which houses both convicted criminals and those awaiting trial, has recently become the temporary residence of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Diddy, who faces federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution, pleaded not guilty and is now being held at MDC.
MDC Brooklyn has long been criticized for its brutal conditions. U.S. District Judge Gary J. Brown has been one of several judges to express concerns about sending defendants there. In a recent ruling, Judge Brown described the jail as “barbaric” and outlined its alarming issues, including widespread violence, lack of medical care, and understaffing, which have worsened since the pandemic.
MDC’s Long-Standing Problems
Judge Brown’s remarks mirror those of other federal judges who have hesitated to send individuals to MDC. The facility has a history of negligence and hazardous living conditions. In 2019, a fire caused a blackout that left inmates in freezing temperatures for days. A year later, a detainee, Jamel Floyd, died after being pepper-sprayed by correctional officers—an incident that led to a lawsuit from his family. The Department of Justice’s review acknowledged the misuse of pepper spray, though it found no administrative misconduct.
Beyond the violent environment, inmates face insufficient medical care and, in some cases, severe neglect. Judge Brown highlighted one incident where an inmate who had been stabbed multiple times received no medical attention and was locked in his cell for 25 days.
“This is a crisis,” said Andrew Dalack, a public defender who has represented many MDC detainees. “Overcrowding, understaffing, and indifference to inmate well-being have made the facility increasingly dangerous.”
Special Treatment for Diddy
As a celebrity detainee, Sean “Diddy” Combs has reportedly been placed in a section of MDC that offers special protection. He is sharing accommodations with cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried, another high-profile inmate who was convicted of multiple fraud charges. This dormitory-style setup is designed for individuals who require additional security, but it doesn’t address the broader issues of the jail’s notorious conditions.
MDC has held other famous names, including disgraced singer R. Kelly and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Their stays at the facility drew attention to the plight of detainees at MDC, but so far, calls for reform have led to little improvement.
Judge Brown’s Stand
Judge Gary J. Brown has been vocal in his criticism of MDC. He recently spared a tax fraud defendant from serving time at the Brooklyn facility due to its dangerous conditions. In his ruling, Judge Brown warned that he would vacate the man’s sentence if the Bureau of Prisons insisted on sending him to MDC.
Other judges, like Manhattan’s Judge Jesse Furman, have also refused to send defendants to MDC. Earlier this year, Furman allowed a man involved in a drug case to bypass MDC entirely due to the jail’s poor conditions.
In his ruling, Judge Brown pointed to the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the jail’s issues. According to Brown, the facility’s severe understaffing and lack of proper supervision have created an environment where “chaos reigns.”
A History of Neglect
The problems at MDC Brooklyn date back decades. Since its opening in the 1990s, the facility has struggled with overcrowding and poor living conditions. In February 2024, a report by the Federal Defenders office pointed to the closure of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan as a major factor in the increasing population at MDC.
This overcrowding, combined with a shortage of staff and a lack of oversight, has created a perfect storm for violence. In July, inmate Edwin Cordero died after being injured in a fight. His family has since filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons. Dalack, who represented Cordero, noted that the jail’s inability to provide basic protections for inmates makes it “an incredibly dangerous place.”
“These conditions didn’t emerge overnight,” Dalack explained. “They’re the result of years of neglect and underfunding. It’s a broken system that needs immediate attention.”
Push for Reform
Diddy’s high-profile incarceration has prompted renewed calls for reform. U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman, whose district includes MDC, has urged federal authorities to address the chronic understaffing, violence, and lack of medical care at the jail.
In response to the growing criticism, the Bureau of Prisons has established an urgent action team to address MDC’s problems. Efforts are also being made to hire more staff and address the backlog of maintenance requests. However, progress has been slow, and the facility continues to struggle with overcrowding and poor conditions.
As Diddy awaits his trial, his time at MDC has brought national attention to the dire situation at Brooklyn’s federal jail. With high-profile figures behind bars and judges pushing back against the facility’s use, the pressure is mounting for meaningful reform.
