Epstein Removed from Suicide Watch at MCC Late July 2019
MCC removes Jeffrey Epstein from suicide watch after the August 9 incident, returning him to a regular cell without the enhanced monitoring that suicide watch provides. This decision is central to accountability questions about his death.
People Involved
In late July 2019after the August 9 incident in which Epstein was found in distressMCC officials removed him from suicide watch and returned him to a regular cell in a high-security unit. The decision to remove him from suicide watch, and to do so without ensuring a cell-mate or adequate check frequency, is one of the most scrutinized decisions in the post-death investigation.
The DOJ inspector general’s 2023 report found that the guards assigned to monitor Epstein’s corridor were asleep on the night of August 9-10 and had falsified prison records to cover this. Despite enhanced risks, no heightened monitoring protocols were in place when Epstein died.
The MCC has since faced broader criticism for institutional failures; the facility was later closed in 2021 following documented instances of violence, staff misconduct, and inadequate conditions.