Brooklyn, New York – Defense lawyers representing detainees at the troubled Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn have raised alarming concerns about the food conditions at the federal jail. According to a letter sent on behalf of Joseph Elias, a convicted arsonist seeking time served, the jail has been serving maggot-infested beans to inmates. The lawyers detailed the nauseating conditions experienced by Elias and his allergic reactions to certain foods, including fish. The attorneys argued that these conditions warrant leniency in Elias’s case due to the negative impact on his mental health and overall well-being.
Elias’s lawyers reached out to the jail administration on two separate occasions, requesting that he no longer receive infested food or fish. They also asked for Ensure to help him regain lost weight. Unfortunately, their requests were ignored by the agency. This revelation comes on the heels of a recent ruling by a Manhattan federal judge, who deemed the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center so appalling that they constituted “extraordinary reasons” not to incarcerate another defendant in a drug case.
This is not an isolated incident, as other detainees have reported similar experiences with infested and spoiled food. Defense lawyer Esere Onaodowan described the current conditions at the jail as the worst she has ever seen. She recounted an incident where one of her clients lost 15 pounds after being served maggot-infested beans, partially cooked and spoiled chicken, and expired milk. Onaodowan also revealed that her client had worked in the jail kitchen, where he had to remove cockroaches and bug parts from the food before serving it to fellow inmates.
The Metropolitan Detention Center has long been plagued by staffing shortages, frequent lockdowns, and deplorable conditions. These problems were highlighted in a ruling by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Jesse Furman, who outlined a range of issues, including an eight-day power outage during a polar vortex in 2019. Several defense lawyers have cited Furman’s ruling as they seek leniency or release for their clients.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the governing body responsible for the jail, declined to comment on the specific complaints. However, a spokesperson for the agency stated that they are committed to the safety and health of inmates. The Metropolitan Detention Center handles pre-trial detention for both Manhattan and Brooklyn federal courts and currently houses close to 1,400 federal inmates.
As Elias awaits sentencing on April 5, it remains uncertain whether his experiences at the jail will factor into the judge’s decision. Elias, a career criminal who pleaded guilty to arson conspiracy, was involved in an extortion scheme that targeted a body shop. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Silverberg, who is prosecuting the case, has recommended a sentence of 77 to 96 months in prison.
The ongoing concerns about the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center highlight a recurring issue that has led judges to grant reduced sentences due to the unacceptable state of confinement. As more defense lawyers speak out about the dire situation, it becomes increasingly evident that urgent action is needed to address the persistent problems plaguing the jail in Brooklyn.
(Note: This article was written based on information from defense lawyers and court documents, and does not include direct quotes from any news organization or mention any specific news outlet.)