DEVELOPING: 1,000 Inmates Jailed Without Heat

SUNSET PARK – “More than a thousand inmates have been stuck in freezing cells at a federal jail on the Brooklyn waterfront that has had limited power and heat for at least this week, according to federal public defenders and leaders of the union representing the jail’s corrections officers,” New York Times reported this afternoon.
I am outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center where prisoners are without heat. The banging noise is them protesting for all of us to hear. They are without heat for days. This is in BROOKLYN. pic.twitter.com/h3UiVcR6VF
— shahana hanif (@ShahanaFromBK) February 1, 2019
They beat us to the story we were working on and did an amazing job, so read it and raise hell. This is what we were told by the Bureau of Prisons:
“Currently, MDC Brooklyn is experiencing a partial power outage. The institution is operating on emergency power, cells have heat and hot water, there is lighting in the common areas and inmates are receiving hot meals.
At this time, access for inmates to phones and inmate messaging, as well as commissary is temporarily affected. However, essential personal hygiene items and medical services continue to be provided.
Unrelated to the partial power outage, MDC Brooklyn has been placed on limited operational status. The institution remains secure.
Con Edison has been dealing with numerous power emergencies in the community. MDC Brooklyn is working with Con Edison to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Visitors should continue to check the public website (www.bop.gov) for any impact on visiting.”
That statement seems to contradict New York Times reporting, and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez is touring the facility right now and we’ll update on the outcome.
I’m alarmed by reports that inmates at the MDC are enduring these conditions, especially given the freezing weather this week. I am going to visit the facility to try and ascertain firsthand what is happening. https://t.co/m5k352I3Dc
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) February 1, 2019
Councilman Carlos Menchaca is organizing:
— Carlos Menchaca 萬齊家 (@cmenchaca) February 1, 2019