Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn
The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn is a United States federal administrative detention facility in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
As of January 3, 2026, the facility has gained international notoriety as the primary detention site for captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro following his arrival in the United States.
Facility and Security
The MDC Brooklyn is a high-rise facility that houses over 1,600 male and female inmates. It is designed to hold defendants awaiting trial or sentencing in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
- High-Security Unit (SHU): Maduro is reportedly held in a specialized, ultra-secure unit. These units are designed for total isolation and 24-hour electronic surveillance.
- Staffing: In response to Maduro's arrival, the BOP has deployed additional personnel from its Special Operations Response Teams (SORT) to augment the facility's standard security detail.
- External Security: The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the U.S. Marshals Service have established a restricted "no-fly" and "no-entry" perimeter around the facility.
Notable Inmates
The MDC has historically housed some of the most high-profile federal defendants in U.S. history, including:
- Ghislaine Maxwell: Held during her sex-trafficking trial.
- Sam Bankman-Fried: Held following the revocation of his bail in the FTX fraud case.
- R. Kelly: Held during his racketeering and sex-crimes trial.
- Nicolás Maduro (2026): Currently awaiting arraignment for narco-terrorism.
Controversies
The facility has frequently been criticized for its harsh living conditions, including a 2019 week-long power outage during a polar vortex and systemic staffing shortages. Under the Pam Bondi Department of Justice, significant funding has been allocated to modernize the facility's surveillance and safety infrastructure.