MCC Oversight Failures
The Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) investigation identified systemic failures at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) that contributed to Jeffrey Epstein’s death on August 10, 2019.
Specific Failures Identified
1. Premature removal from suicide watch Epstein was placed on suicide watch on July 23, 2019 after being found with marks on his neck. He was removed just six days later on July 29 an unusually short period given his circumstances.
2. Guards sleeping and falsifying records Guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were charged with federal crimes for:
- Sleeping during their shifts
- Falsifying log entries to indicate they were conducting required checks
- Leaving Epstein alone for approximately 8 hours before his body was discovered
3. Staffing shortages MCC was severely understaffed. Noel was working a “ramped-up” five-day overtime shift and had also worked 9-hour shifts at another facility. Thomas had worked excessive overtime hours.
4. Broken camera equipment Security cameras near Epstein’s cell malfunctioned, preventing complete video documentation of the hours before his death.
5. No cellmate Per standard policy after a suicide attempt, inmates should have a cellmate. Epstein’s cellmate was moved the day before his death, leaving him alone.
DOJ Response
Both guards were charged with falsifying records. Attorney General Barr stated the failures were “inexcusable.” The charges against the guards were ultimately dismissed in 2021 after they completed a deferred prosecution program.