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Document DOJ-OGR-00023420

AI Analysis

Summary: The document details the events of August 9, 2019, at MCC New York's SHU, where Jeffrey Epstein was housed. It examines the actions of various staff members, including the SHU Lieutenant and Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge, regarding Epstein's cellmate requirement after Inmate 3 was transferred out. The report highlights the knowledge and responsibilities of SHU staff concerning Epstein's need for a cellmate.
Significance: This document is potentially important as it investigates the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate situation on August 9, 2019, and sheds light on potential procedural lapses and staff knowledge or negligence at MCC New York.
Key Topics: Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate situation on August 9, 2019 Procedural lapses at MCC New York's Special Housing Unit (SHU) Staff responsibilities and knowledge regarding Epstein's cellmate requirement
Key People:
  • SHU Lieutenant - Lieutenant responsible for SHU operations
  • Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge - Senior Officer Specialist in charge of SHU on August 9
  • Day Watch Operations Lieutenant - Lieutenant with oversight of SHU operations
  • Day Watch Activities Lieutenant - Lieutenant with oversight of SHU activities
  • CO 1 - Correctional Officer who escorted Inmate 3 to Receiving and Discharge
  • Jeffrey Epstein - Inmate in custody at MCC New York
  • Inmate 3 - Epstein's cellmate who was transferred out on August 9
Document Type
Report
Date
Unknown
Pages
1
Folder
IMAGES009

Full Text

D. Failure to Assign Epstein a New Cellmate on August 9 1. Day Watch Staff Actions on August 9 The SHU Lieutenant told the OIG that he worked at MCC New York on August 8, 2019, from approximately 6 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m., and that he was off on August 9, 2019. The SHU Lieutenant, whose shift ended over an hour before the USMS sent the second email regarding Inmate 3's impending transfer, told the OIG he was not aware that Inmate 3 was scheduled to be transferred out of MCC New York, and therefore he did not notify the Captain that Epstein would require a new cellmate. According to the SHU Lieutenant, as soon as the SHU staff learned that Inmate 3 would be transferred, they should have notified a Lieutenant on duty. The Day Watch Operations Lieutenant and the Day Watch Activities Lieutenant told the OIG that on August 9, 2019, they had oversight of the SHU from approximately 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. due to their position descriptions and because of the SHU Lieutenant's absence. According to the MCC New York Staff Roster, on August 9, 2019, SHU Officer #1 was listed as Senior Officer Specialist 5. Although SHU Officer #1 is typically the Officer in Charge, another Senior Officer Specialist told the OIG that, in actuality, he was the Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge on August 9 from approximately 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge said that since he had the most experience and seniority, he was considered by everyone to be the SHU Officer in Charge, which the SHU Lieutenant confirmed. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge told the OIG that he knew that Epstein had to have a cellmate. He said that, as a general practice, every inmate who is transferred from suicide watch and/or psychological observation to the SHU is placed with a cellmate. He also confirmed that the SHU Lieutenant had instructed him that Epstein was to be housed with a cellmate at all times. According to the Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge, between July 30 and August 9, 2019, he told all other MCC New York staff members who worked in the SHU of Epstein's cellmate requirement and further stated that everyone who worked in the SHU should have known that Epstein was required to have a cellmate due to their knowledge, training, and experience. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge confirmed that on the morning of August 9, 2019, the SHU staff received an inmate call out list that listed Inmate 3 as "WAB," which he explained meant that Inmate 3 was being removed from MCC New York. He told the OIG that sometime between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., he escorted Epstein from the SHU to the attorney conference room for Epstein's daily legal visit, during which time Epstein joked around with him. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge said that he and Epstein were accompanied by CO 1, who was escorting Inmate 3 to Receiving and Discharge. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge and CO 1 both told the OIG that Inmate 3 was escorted to Receiving and Discharge with all of his belongings, and both said that during the escort the Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge informed Epstein that he would be assigned a new cellmate due to Inmate 3's departure and the requirement that Epstein have a cellmate. In his interview with the OIG, CO 1 confirmed this conversation between the Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge and Epstein, but he did not provide any additional information regarding notifications made either by him or the Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge told the OIG that when he and CO 1 left the SHU with Epstein and Inmate 3, both the Day Watch Operations Lieutenant and the Day Watch Activities Lieutenant should have been physically present in the Lieutenants' Office and should have seen that Inmate 3 was departing the institution when they passed the office. The Day Watch SHU Officer in Charge said that while he did not expect Inmate 3 to return to MCC New York, there had been times when inmates had been escorted to Receiving and Discharge as an expected removal, only to be returned to the SHU later that same day due to unforeseen circumstances. According to the Day