2023.06.27 OIG Press Release.pdf

 
 
 
DEP ARTM EN T OF JUSTICE |  O FFICE O F T HE INSP ECTO R GENER AL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 27, 2023 
 
DOJ OIG Releases Report on the BOP’s Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan 
Correctional Center in New York, New York 
 
Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz announced today the release of a report 
of investigation regarding the Federal Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) custody, care, and supervision of Jeffrey 
Epstein while detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York (MCC New 
York).  Epstein died by suicide on August 10, 2019 while in BOP custody.  The focus of DOJ Office of the 
Inspector General’s (OIG) investigation was the conduct of BOP personnel.   
 
The DOJ OIG investigation and review identified:   
• 
Numerous and Serious Failures by MCC New York Staff.  The DOJ OIG found numerous and serious 
failures by MCC New York staff constituting misconduct and dereliction of their duties.  Among other 
things, these failures resulted in Epstein being unmonitored and alone in his cell with an excessive 
amount of bed linens, from approximately 10:40 p.m. on August 9 until he was discovered hanged in 
his locked cell on August 10 at approximately 6:30 a.m.   
 
o 
MCC New York Staff Failed to Ensure that Epstein Was Assigned a Cellmate.   Following a July 23, 
2019, incident that resulted in Epstein being placed on suicide watch, the MCC New York 
Psychology Department determined that Epstein needed to be housed with an appropriate 
cellmate.  On August 9, Epstein’s cellmate was transferred out of MCC New York.  MCC New York 
staff knew that Epstein did not have a cellmate but did not take steps to ensure that he was 
assigned a new cellmate. 
o 
MCC New York Staff Failed to Undertake Required Measures Designed to Ensure that Epstein 
and Other Inmates Were Accounted for and Safe.  BOP policy requires Special Housing Unit 
(SHU) staff to observe all inmates, conduct rounds, conduct inm...

 
 
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other MCC New York employees who the OIG found created false documentation on earlier 
dates and times not proximate to the Epstein’s death. 
o 
MCC New York Staff Failed to Ensure that the Institution’s Security Camera System was Fully 
Functional Resulting in Limited Recorded Video Evidence.  BOP policy also requires SHU staff to 
ensure the functionality of the video camera surveillance system.  This investigation and review 
revealed longstanding deficiencies with MCC New York’s security camera system.  Although 
video cameras in the SHU provided live video feeds to monitoring stations, system deficiencies 
resulted in nearly all of the cameras in and around the SHU where Epstein was being housed to 
not record video starting in late July 2019 and continuing through the date of Epstein’s death.   
 
• 
Long-standing Operational Challenges.  The DOJ OIG has repeatedly identified long-standing 
operational challenges that negatively affect the BOP’s ability to operate its institutions safely and 
securely.  Many of those same operational challenges, including staffing shortages, managing 
inmates at risk for suicide, maintaining functional security camera systems, management failures, 
and widespread disregard of BOP policies and procedures, were again identified by the OIG during 
this investigation and review of the custody, care, and supervision of Epstein, one of the BOP’s most 
high profile inmates. 
 
• 
No Evidence Contradicting the FBI’s Determination that there Was No Criminality Associated with 
Epstein’s Death.  Separate from the OIG’s investigation, which focused on the conduct of BOP 
personnel, the FBI concurrently investigated whether Epstein’s death was the result of criminal 
conduct by any non-BOP actors.  Among other things, the FBI investigated the cause of Epstein’s 
death and determined it was not the result of a criminal act.  The Office of the Chief Medical 
Examiner, City of New York, determined that Epstein died by suicide.  While ...

 
 
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