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8. The BOP should enhance existing policies regarding institutional security camera systems to ensure they specifically state that such systems must have the capacity to record video and that BOP institutions must conduct regular security camera system functionality checks. As discussed in the Conclusions section of this chapter, the OIG found that, even though the highest levels of leadership knew of the MCC New York security camera system’s recurring deficiencies, prior to Epstein’s death, no one was tasked with the responsibility of checking the security camera system on a routine basis to ensure that the system was functional. As a result, when on July 29, 2019, video from approximately half of the institution’s security cameras was no longer being recorded, the problem went undetected for 11 days. The OIG also found that there are no BOP policies that specifically state that security camera systems must have the capacity to record or that institutional staff must perform periodic checks to ensure the camera system is fully functional. Cameras that are failing to provide good quality or any live video streams put the safety of BOP staff members and inmates at risk, and the lack of video recordings can potentially hinder investigations of wrongdoing by staff and inmates. The OIG therefore recommends that the BOP enhance existing policies and protocols so they specifically state that all institutional security camera systems must have the capacity to record, and that specified staff at each institution must conduct periodic checks of the security camera system to determine its operational status and take corrective action as soon as possible when the system is found to be inoperable. Such routine checks would help ensure that camera system malfunctions are detected and corrective actions are initiated in a timely manner. 114 DOJ-OGR- 00023481