US Department closes scandal-ridden New York prison

New York. The New York prison, which became known through the death of US millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sexual abuse, will be closed, at least for the time being. In order to get the problems in the Metropolitan Correctional Center under control as quickly as possible, the correctional facility in Manhattan will be closed for the time being, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday (local time). Most of the current 233 inmates would be relocated to Brooklyn. The ministry did not announce a schedule.

El Chapo was already sitting in the Metropolitan Correctional Center

The prison was once considered one of the safest in the United States. Criminals like the Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán and Mafia godfather John Gotti were imprisoned there. However, after Epstein, who was arrested for the sexual abuse of minors, committed suicide in 2019, various shortcomings came to light. The two officers responsible for Epstein admitted that they slept or surfed the Internet instead of paying attention to the inmate. During a search, after a tip, investigators found a pistol and other prohibited items such as cell phones and homemade weapons. An investigation was carried out against members of the staff.

When the corona pandemic broke out, there were not enough masks for the law enforcement officers. Corona guidelines for prisoners were disregarded even when they showed symptoms. There wasn’t even enough soap. More than a quarter of the staff positions were vacant.

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