‘Chaos reigns’ – the notorious jail holding Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

In a surprising turn of events, U.S. District Judge Gary J. Brown chose not to send Sean “Diddy” Combs to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn for his sentencing on tax fraud charges. The judge expressed concerns about “the dangerous, barbaric conditions” at the facility, highlighting a troubling history of issues that have plagued MDC for years.

Recently, Combs was ordered to be held at MDC following serious federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, to which he has pleaded not guilty. High-profile detainees like him often receive special protections, and reports indicate that Combs is currently in a section of the jail designated for individuals requiring such safeguards. Notably, he shares his dormitory-style accommodations with Sam Bankman-Fried, the former cryptocurrency mogul convicted of multiple fraud counts.

MDC Brooklyn is infamous for housing many notorious figures, including R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell, making it a common stop for celebrities facing serious legal issues. However, the majority of the facility’s 1,200 inmates experience a vastly different reality.

In a recent decision, Judge Brown noted that numerous fellow jurists have hesitated to send defendants to MDC due to its perilous conditions. He cited “inadequate supervision, rampant violence, and insufficient medical care,” emphasizing the chaos that has increasingly characterized the facility. The judge referenced a specific incident where a defendant was stabbed multiple times but received no medical attention, instead being locked in his cell for 25 days. He pointed out staffing shortages and deteriorating conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as significant factors contributing to the facility’s dangerous environment.

MDC Brooklyn, opened in the 1990s, has a long history of challenges. A severe electrical fire in 2019 left the facility in darkness during a winter storm, exposing inmates to frigid conditions. In June 2020, the death of inmate Jamel Floyd—who was pepper-sprayed by correctional officers—led to a lawsuit against the federal government. While a Department of Justice review found no evidence of administrative misconduct, it did acknowledge that the use of pepper spray violated established policies.

Judge Brown isn’t the only one to voice strong criticisms of MDC. In January, Judge Jesse Furman refused to send a defendant to the facility, citing its hazardous conditions. Instead, he allowed the individual, Gustavo Chavez, to await sentencing on supervised release, avoiding MDC altogether. The tragic death of 36-year-old Edwin Cordero in July—resulting from injuries sustained in a fight—further underscored the facility’s ongoing issues. Andrew Dalack, a public defender representing multiple clients at MDC, described it as a “scary place” plagued by overcrowding and understaffing.

In the wake of these incidents, U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman has called for increased federal oversight to address what he termed “chronic understaffing, perpetual solitary confinement, and widespread violence.” The Federal Bureau of Prisons, responsible for managing MDC, stated that it takes seriously its duty to protect those in its custody. A spokesperson mentioned the establishment of an urgent action team to tackle these issues and an ongoing effort to hire more staff.

A report released in February 2024 by the Federal Defenders office attributed overcrowding at MDC to the closure of its sister facility in Manhattan, which was shut down following Jeffrey Epstein’s death in custody in 2019. The report noted that the presence of drugs and other contraband also contributes to the facility’s perilous atmosphere.

While MDC Brooklyn holds convicted individuals, a significant portion of its population consists of those awaiting trial. Many of these inmates face the daunting prospect of prolonged incarceration, often in harsh conditions. As Dalack pointed out, the environment at MDC can strip inmates of their dignity and humanity, compounding the stress of their legal situations. “It should not be the case that while your life is on the line, you are stripped of your humanity,” he lamented, highlighting the severe impact of incarceration in such a challenging environment.