☰
  1. Home
  2. All Facilities
  3. Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE)

Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE)

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Last Updated: May 10, 2026
Address
80 29th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Beds
2290
County
Kings
Phone
718-840-4200
Fax
718-840-5005
Email
bro-execassistant-s@bop.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232
View Official Website

MDC Brooklyn is for Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offenders found guilty of a federal crime and sentenced to incarceration in accordance with the Department of Justice Sentencing Guidelines.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for federal high facility.

The phone carrier is Trulincs, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is MoneyGram There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Looking for an inmate at this facility? Visitation Information, Times and Rules
Satellite View of Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE)
Search Arrest Records

Official Resources

Nearby Facilities

If your loved one is at MDC Brooklyn, InmateAid can help you stay connected. Call the facility directly at 718-840-4200 with any immediate questions.

MDC Brooklyn, located in Brooklyn, New York, is a federal correctional institution managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This page provides essential information for those seeking details about inmate services, visitation guidelines, and facility contact information.

Questions About This Facility

The Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, commonly known as MDC Brooklyn, is one of the most high-profile federal detention facilities in the United States. Located in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, New York, the facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons rather than a county sheriff’s office, meaning there is no elected sheriff directly overseeing operations. The institution is currently led by Warden Raul Maldonado Jr. and functions as a federal administrative detention center housing male and female inmates across multiple security classifications. Originally opened in 1994, MDC Brooklyn has become the primary federal jail serving the Eastern District of New York following the closure of Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center. In recent years, the facility also began housing ICE detainees under contract with the Department of Homeland Security, expanding its role within the federal immigration detention system.

The facility maintains a population generally ranging between 1,300 and 1,500 inmates and detainees, though overcrowding concerns have repeatedly surfaced as federal inmate transfers and ICE detention populations increased. Some outside media reports have estimated that portions of the facility can temporarily house substantially larger numbers during surge periods tied to federal detention operations. MDC Brooklyn primarily holds pretrial detainees awaiting proceedings in federal court, inmates serving shorter federal sentences, high-security defendants awaiting transfer, and immigration detainees processed through ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Because it sits near federal courthouses, major airports, and interstate transportation routes, the jail plays a central role within the federal detention infrastructure operating throughout the Northeast.

MDC Brooklyn is perhaps best known nationally for its extraordinary list of famous and notorious inmates. Over the years, the jail has housed a staggering collection of celebrities, cartel leaders, political figures, fraudsters, and organized crime defendants awaiting trial or sentencing. High-profile inmates have included Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Sam Bankman-Fried, R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Luigi Mangione, Michael Cohen, Tekashi 6ix9ine, and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. Recent media coverage in 2025 and 2026 described the facility as having a “celebrity inmate roster” unlike nearly any other federal jail in the country. The jail’s concentration of high-profile federal defendants has made it a constant fixture in national news coverage and courtroom reporting.

One of the most distinguishing features of MDC Brooklyn is its controversial reputation for harsh conditions, violence, lockdowns, infrastructure failures, and staffing shortages. The facility has repeatedly faced criticism from federal judges, defense attorneys, inmates, and advocacy organizations regarding conditions inside the jail. Complaints over the years have included prolonged lockdowns, freezing temperatures during power outages, overcrowding, contraband violence, sewage problems, inadequate medical care, and staffing instability. Federal sweeps inside the jail have uncovered homemade weapons, narcotics, and electronic contraband, while several inmate assaults and deaths have intensified scrutiny surrounding security conditions. Multiple judges overseeing federal cases in New York have openly criticized MDC Brooklyn conditions, with some describing aspects of the jail environment as dangerous and inhumane.

The addition of ICE detainees beginning in 2025 further expanded MDC Brooklyn’s role within the federal detention landscape. Under agreements between ICE and the Bureau of Prisons, immigration detainees began being housed alongside federal criminal detainees as DHS sought additional detention capacity nationwide. Advocacy groups strongly criticized the move, arguing that conditions at MDC Brooklyn were already strained before immigration detainees were added. Despite ongoing controversy, the facility remains one of the most operationally important federal detention centers in the country due to its strategic New York City location, extensive federal court connections, and ability to house some of the nation’s most high-profile inmates. Today, MDC Brooklyn stands as both a symbol of the federal justice system’s reach and one of America’s most scrutinized detention facilities

ICE Detainee Information

This facility holds immigration detainees under an active contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in addition to its regular population. ICE detainees are civil immigration detainees, not criminal defendants, and are held while their immigration cases are processed. The rules, rights, and services that apply to ICE detainees differ from those that apply to the general jail population.

To locate an ICE detainee at this facility, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov. You will need the detainee's A-Number, a nine-digit Alien Registration Number that appears on any immigration document they have received. If the A-Number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning. If you do not have the A-Number, you can search using the detainee's full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth. Names must be an exact match; try variations if the first search returns no results.

Immigration bond works differently from criminal bail. Not all detainees are eligible for bond; those with certain criminal convictions or prior deportation orders may be subject to mandatory detention. For those who are eligible, bond is set by an immigration judge and typically ranges from $1,500 to over $10,000. Bond must be paid in full before release. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing and argue for a lower amount based on the detainee's circumstances.

Unlike criminal defendants, ICE detainees do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney. They must hire a private immigration attorney or find free legal help through a nonprofit organization. RAICES provides legal services and bond assistance at raicestexas.org. The National Immigrant Justice Center offers free legal representation at immigrantjustice.org. Many immigration courts also maintain a list of free and low-cost legal service providers available to detainees upon request.

ICE transfers detainees between facilities frequently and with little advance notice, sometimes to locations far from family and legal counsel. If you cannot locate your family member through this page, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator again at locator.ice.gov with their A-Number. If they have an attorney, notify the attorney immediately as transfers affect court appearances and case timelines.

Women in prison are often the primary or sole caregivers of children before incarceration. For offenders who will give birth during their incarceration, there are two programs offered to assist these mothers before, during, and after childbirth; these include Mothers and Infants Together (MINT) and the Residential Parenting Program (RPP). The MINT Program is a community residential program that aims to assist offenders during the last two months of pregnancy. Eligible inmates are transferred to a Residential Reentry Center and remain there for up to three months after birth to bond with their children before returning to the institution to complete their sentence. Inmates may be permitted to stay longer. The Program Statement, Female Offender Manual, is the agency's primary policy addressing the management of incarcerated women. The agency also issued an Operations Memorandum requiring all female sites to provide five types of feminine hygiene products to inmates free of charge.

Health services at MDC Brooklyn are comprehensive, encompassing sick calls, dental care, emergency services, and medication provision. Inmates can access medical care by submitting a Sick Call form, with emergency care available round-the-clock to address urgent health needs.

Table of Contents for MDC Brooklyn

Inmate Locator

Finding a Federal Inmate at Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE)

If you're trying to locate someone in federal custody at Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE) in Brooklyn, New York, the federal system works differently from state and county facilities. The Bureau of Prisons maintains a central inmate locator at bop.gov covering all federal inmates from 1982 forward. The locator is the right starting point, but it doesn't show everyone in federal custody, newly sentenced inmates and those in transit may not appear yet. Call Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE) at 718-840-4200 if the locator doesn't return a result.

Using the BOP Inmate Locator

The BOP locator searches by full name, register number, or BOP number. The register number is an eight-digit identifier assigned at intake and used throughout the inmate's federal sentence. With the register number, the search returns an exact match. Without it, search by name and confirm against age, race, or sentencing details if the name is common. The locator returns current facility, register number, age, race, projected release date, and release status. It does not return charges, court of conviction, or visiting details.

When the Inmate Doesn't Appear in the BOP Locator

A federal inmate may be missing from the locator for several reasons. Newly sentenced inmates spend a designation period in US Marshals custody, often held at a county jail or private contract facility, before being assigned to a BOP institution. During designation, the person is still in federal custody but isn't yet in the BOP system. Designation can take a few weeks to a few months. Inmates in holdover status during transfer may also be temporarily missing. If you can't find someone in the BOP locator and the case is recent, they're likely still in US Marshals custody at a non-BOP facility.

Locating Someone in US Marshals Custody

Pre-designation federal detainees are held by the US Marshals Service, usually at a contracted county jail or regional federal detention center. The Marshals don't operate a public locator. To find someone in Marshals custody, contact the US Marshals Service district office for the federal court handling the case, or call the federal court clerk's office for the district of conviction. The InmateAid inmate search can also locate federal detainees at contracted facilities once the booking is in the facility's public roster.

The Register Number and What It's For

The BOP register number stays with the inmate across every federal facility transfer. State inmate ID numbers do not carry over. The register number is the single most useful piece of information for federal locating, document requests, money transfers, and communication account setup. Once you have it, save it; you'll use it for every federal interaction.

Once You've Located the Inmate

When you confirm the person is at Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE), set up an inmate phone and Trulincs account, and arrange money transfer through approved BOP channels. For federal facility phone discount plans, money transfer, and mail services, see InmateAid's federal inmate services and call 718-840-4200 to confirm what's available at Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE).

To confirm current custody status, register number, or recent transfers involving Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE), call 718-840-4200.

Visitation Information

Visitation Information - MDC Brooklyn

Facility Contacts

ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer: 718-840-4200 NYC ICE Detainee Inquiry (exigent legal calls): 212-863-3401 or NYCDetaineeInquiry@ice.dhs.gov

Note on Friend and Family Visits

This facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Friend and family visit hours run 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and are scheduled by housing unit. For the most up-to-date visiting protocol and any schedule changes, check MDC Brooklyn's information page directly through the BOP website.

Who Can Visit

You can only visit a detainee at MDC Brooklyn if the detainee has placed you on their visitor list and BOP has cleared you in advance. BOP has its own rules on who can visit, what to wear, how long visits last, conduct expectations, and physical contact. Review the BOP guide "How to visit a federal inmate" before planning a visit.

Visiting Rules

All friend and family visits are non-contact.

No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas. Visitors cannot pass anything to detainees or carry items into the visitation area.

Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. If you appear intoxicated, you will be turned away.

Attorney Visits

In-person attorney visits run:

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (count time 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (count time 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) Federal holidays: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (count time 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

Attorneys who arrive within an hour of a count starting (after 3 p.m. on weekdays or after 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays) cannot visit their client until the count clears.

The Attorney Guide to MDC Brooklyn covers legal visiting, attorney-client communication, release of information, and local legal procedures. Review it before your visit through the BOP website.

A list of pro bono legal organizations is posted in every housing unit and updated quarterly. Detainees are responsible for contacting these organizations to schedule appointments.

Legal Calls

For appointments on or after December 22, attorneys must request confidential legal phone calls through ERO eFile. Confirmation comes back through ERO eFile.

Calls run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 30-minute blocks, with two back-to-back blocks allowed for a 60-minute call. Appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead but no later than 24 hours before the slot, on a first-come basis. There is no cap on how many appointments an attorney can request, but no attorney can have more than one 60-minute appointment with the same detainee in a single day.

The ERO eFile request must include: the attorney's full name and contact info, the detainee's name and A-number (or name, date of birth, and country of birth), and the attorney's phone number in the Virtual Meeting Information section. This is required before you can select a time slot.

Required attachments: a scan of the attorney's government ID, proof of legal status (bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar), and the eFiled G-28 unless this is a pre-representational visit. If a legal assistant is joining alone, attach a letter of authorization on firm letterhead and a scan of the assistant's ID.

Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed on these calls. No family, no friends. The attorney can use outside interpretation services during the session. Calls are confidential; an officer stays within sight but out of earshot and will knock 5 minutes before the cutoff.

The facility can cancel or reschedule appointments to manage safety risks or to make sure other attorneys and detainees get fair access. If no slots are available or you have an exigent circumstance, call 212-863-3401 or email NYCDetaineeInquiry@ice.dhs.gov.

Electronic Legal Documents

BOP has specific rules for when an inmate can receive electronic legal materials from an attorney. Review BOP's Access to Electronic Discovery Materials through the BOP website.

Consular Visits

Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Call the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at 718-840-4200 to make arrangements when possible, and bring credentials.

Clergy Visits

Clergy can visit but must arrange the visit ahead of time through the Chaplain. For current visiting protocol, check the BOP facility webpage.

East Building: Sunday - Female Unit Monday - Legal only Tuesday - Legal only Wednesday - Female Units (Afternoon) Thursday - Legal only Friday - Legal only Saturday - Female Unit

West Building: Sunday - Male Cadre Monday - 6th Floor Tuesday - 7th Floor Wednesday - 8th Floor Thursday - 4th Floor Friday - 5th Floor Male Cadre (Afternoon) Saturday Male Cadre

Frequently Asked Questions About Metropolitan Detention Center, MDC Brooklyn (ICE)

  1. What is a federal prison?
      A federal prison is a correctional facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to house individuals convicted of federal crimes. These offenses include drug trafficking across state lines, white-collar crimes, terrorism, bank robbery, and other federal violations. Unlike state prisons, federal prisons operate under standardized regulations and typically have more structured programming.

  2. How do federal prisons differ from state prisons?
      Federal prisons are managed by the BOP and house inmates convicted of violating federal laws, while state prisons house those convicted of state crimes. Federal facilities tend to have more uniform security classifications and rehabilitation programs, while state prisons vary by jurisdiction. Additionally, federal inmates often serve longer sentences with less opportunity for parole, as federal sentencing guidelines are stricter.

  3. What are the security levels in federal prisons?
      The BOP classifies federal prisons into five security levels:

    • Minimum (Federal Prison Camps - FPCs): Low-risk inmates with non-violent offenses, dormitory-style housing, and little supervision.
    • Low (FCIs - Low): More security than camps, with fences, dorm-style housing, and work programs.
    • Medium (FCIs - Medium): Higher security, cell housing, increased staff monitoring, and more restricted movement.
    • High (United States Penitentiaries - USPs): Maximum security, with high walls, armed guards, and strict inmate movement restrictions.
    • Administrative Facilities (ADX, MCC, MDC, FMCs): Used for medical care, high-risk inmates, or those requiring extreme isolation (e.g., ADX Florence Supermax).

  4. What is ADX Florence, and why is it considered the most secure prison?
      ADX Florence, also known as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” is a supermax facility in Colorado that houses the most dangerous federal inmates, including terrorists and high-profile criminals. It has 23-hour solitary confinement, soundproof cells, and minimal human interaction to prevent escapes or inmate violence.

  5. Can federal inmates earn early release?
      Federal inmates can reduce their sentences through good conduct time (GCT), participation in rehabilitation programs, and the First Step Act. However, unlike state prisons, parole was eliminated from the federal system in 1987, meaning inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentence before being released on supervised release.

  6. How do phone calls work in federal prisons?
      Federal inmates can make outgoing calls only to approved numbers using the Corrlincs system, managed by providers such as GTL (ViaPath) and Securus or the BOP itself. Calls are limited to 15 minutes per call and 300 minutes per month, with costs varying between $0.06 to $0.21 per minute depending on the location. Using a LOCAL number gets the six-cents-per-minute rate. Get a local number from InmateAId for only $5.00. All calls are monitored and recorded, except for attorney-client calls.

  7. Can federal inmates send and receive mail?
      Yes, inmates can send and receive mail, but all non-legal mail is screened for contraband. Books, magazines, and newspapers must be shipped directly from an approved vendor like Amazon or InmateAid. Legal mail is not read but may be inspected in the presence of the inmate.

  8. What are the visitation rules for federal prisons?
      Visitation is allowed, but visitors must be pre-approved and follow strict guidelines, including dress codes, behavioral rules, and security screenings. Some institutions offer non-contact visits (separated by glass), while others allow contact visits with limited physical interaction. Visits can be terminated if rules are violated.

  9. How do family members send money to federal inmates?
      Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s account using Western Union, MoneyGram, or the BOP’s online deposit system called Trulincs. Family members can also send postal money orders to the Federal Bureau of Prisons centralized processing facility in Des Moines, Iowa.

  10. Do federal prisons provide healthcare?
      Yes, federal prisons provide basic medical, dental, and mental health care, with certain facilities designated for serious medical conditions (FMCs – Federal Medical Centers). Emergency treatment may require transfer to an outside hospital, and some medications are restricted based on security concerns.

  11. Do federal inmates have access to education and work programs?
      Yes, federal prisons offer GED programs, college correspondence courses, and vocational training. Inmates can work through UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries), earning $0.12 to $1.15 per hour for jobs in textiles, manufacturing, or recycling. Participation in these programs can also help reduce sentence time under the First Step Act.

  12. What happens if an inmate breaks the rules in a federal prison?
      Disciplinary actions range from loss of privileges (phone, commissary, visitation) to solitary confinement (SHU - Special Housing Unit). More serious infractions can lead to criminal charges or additional prison time.

  13. Can federal inmates transfer to a different facility?
      Transfers can happen for security reasons, medical needs, overcrowding, or disciplinary actions. Inmates may also request a transfer closer to family, but approval depends on the BOP’s evaluation.

  14. What kind of food do federal inmates receive?
      Federal prisons follow National Menu guidelines, providing three meals per day, including vegetarian and religious dietary options. Some facilities allow inmates to purchase snacks and specialty foods from the commissary.

  15. Can federal inmates own personal property?
      Inmates are allowed limited personal items such as eyeglasses, religious materials, and authorized hygiene products. Commissary purchases may include headphones, radios, and writing supplies.

  16. Do federal inmates have internet access?
      No, federal inmates do not have direct internet access. However, they can use Trulincs, a secure email system, to communicate with approved contacts. Emails are monitored and cost approximately $0.05 per minute of usage time.

  17. Are federal prisons overcrowded?
      Many federal prisons operate above capacity, leading to shared cells, increased inmate tensions, and limited access to rehabilitation programs. Overcrowding is a major concern, prompting calls for criminal justice reform and alternative sentencing.

  18. What happens when a federal inmate is released?
      Inmates are usually transferred to a halfway house or placed on supervised release to help reintegrate into society. They may receive job placement assistance, housing referrals, and continued mental health treatment if needed.

  19. Can federal inmates vote?
      No, federal inmates cannot vote while incarcerated. However, voting rights may be restored after release, depending on the state’s policies regarding felon disenfranchisement.

Ask The Inmate

Connect directly with former inmates and get your questions answered for free. Gain valuable insights from individuals with firsthand experience in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and GEO and CoreCivic-run private prisons. Whether you're seeking advice, clarification, or just curious about life behind bars, this unique opportunity allows you to ask questions or explore answers to previous inquiries from the InmateAid community. Engage in meaningful discussions and get informed perspectives from those who truly understand the system.
LOGIN