Multiple federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice’s inspector general’s office, conducted an “interagency operation” on Monday at New York City’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently held. The probe, aimed at addressing safety and security concerns, underscores escalating issues within the troubled Brooklyn facility.
The Bureau of Prisons issued a statement to the Associated Press, confirming that the operation’s purpose was to “maintain a safe environment for both our employees and the incarcerated individuals housed at MDC Brooklyn.” Specific details of the operation, however, were withheld to ensure the safety and integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Combs’ legal team has previously detailed dire conditions inside the jail, including reports of widespread violence, substandard living conditions, and incidents of death, as they push for his release on bail ahead of his sex trafficking trial in May. “We’re making a go of the MDC. The MDC has been very responsive for us,” said Mark Agnifilo, one of Combs’ attorneys, during an October 10 court appearance, although the attorneys continue to press for his release.
The facility, notorious for recent violent incidents and fatalities, has recently come under closer federal scrutiny. Just last month, nine MDC inmates faced charges related to a series of violent attacks between April and August. These charges, involving stabbings, assaults, and fatal attacks, highlighted critical security lapses. One inmate, for example, was stabbed in the spine with an improvised icepick, while a correctional officer was charged for participating in an unauthorized high-speed car chase and opening fire on another vehicle.
Adding to the facility’s woes, an inmate was charged in early October for allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot from within the jail using a contraband cellphone. This plot reportedly led to the killing of a 28-year-old woman outside a New York City nightclub last December. Prosecutors allege that the inmate managed this plot from behind bars while awaiting sentencing for directing a separate shooting incident years prior.
The jail, which holds around 1,200 detainees, including Combs and former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, has been plagued by longstanding issues, ranging from severe understaffing to allegations of drug smuggling by personnel. Detainees and advocates have consistently raised alarms over harsh conditions at the facility, with claims of violence, inadequate healthcare, and prolonged lockdowns that restrict access to basic amenities, including showers and exercise.
On Monday, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the Brooklyn operation had been planned in advance, adding that “there was no active threat.” The agency declined to provide further specifics, stating that additional information would only be released after the operation concludes to “maintain the safety and security of all personnel inside the facility and the integrity of this operation.”
Situated on the Brooklyn waterfront, the Metropolitan Detention Center primarily houses detainees awaiting federal trials in Manhattan or Brooklyn courts. It also accommodates individuals serving short sentences post-conviction. Yet, inmates and advocates have long criticized the facility for poor living conditions and the influx of contraband, sometimes with the assistance of jail employees.
While twice denied bail, Combs is appealing to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to secure his release before trial, with arguments scheduled for November 4. Anthony Ricco, another of Combs’ lawyers, noted the challenges of Combs’ current situation but remained optimistic, saying, “He’s doing fine. It’s a difficult circumstance. He’s making the best of the situation.” However, Ricco added, “Nobody’s OK with staying in jail for now.”
Federal authorities’ involvement at MDC underscores the severity of the facility’s ongoing issues. With public attention mounting and further legal proceedings for Combs and others on the horizon, the outcome of the operation could signal a broader push for reform within New York City’s only federal jail.
