EFTA00104865.pdf

From: To: Subject: Fwd: MCC Warden Interview Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:25:19 +0000 Begin forwarded message: From: Date: August 12, 2019 at 2:22:30 PM EDT To: "Geoffre S. .Berm Cc: Subject: MCC Warden Interview This morning, OIG, FBI, and USAO-SDNY conducted a recorded, voluntary interview a, the warden of MCC. The interview lasted approximately two hours. A high-level summary is below. • The Warden was notified of Epstein's July 23, 2019 apparent suicide attempt that day, and he notified his regional director, who we understand to be As a result of the apparent suicide attempt, Epstein was moved from the Secure Housing Unit (SHU) on the 9th floor of the MCC to the suicide watch unit on the 2nd floor of the MCC. The Warden reviewed the incident report regarding the apparent suicide attempt. The incident report stated that Epstein denied trying to commit suicide, and he did not remember the incident. • Epstein was initially placed on suicide watch on July 23, 2019. When on suicide watch, an inmate is dressed in a smock and has an inmate companion observing the inmate 24/7. Inmate companions receive specialized training to observe inmates on suicide watch, to ensure that they don't hurt themselves. The chief psychologist, Dry briefed the Warden on Epstein's condition while he was on suicide watch. • On or about July 24, 2019, Epstein was downgraded to psychological observation, but he remained on the 2nd floor suicide watch unit. While on psychological observation, Epstein was no longer required to wear a smock, and wore normal prison clothes, but continued to be observed by an inmate companion 24/7. The Warden recalls being told by Dr. that Epstein was no longer suicidal, so he would be downgraded to psychological observation. When asked whether he questioned that decision, the Warden stated that he does not, as a matter of course, second-guess the opinions of medical professionals. The Warden does not recall whether he notified his regional director that Epstein was removed from suicide watch. • On July 29, 2019, Epstein was removed from psychological observation and transferred back to the SHU on the 9th floor. Prior to that transfer, the Warden, Dr. IM and other senior staff had a weekly SHU meeting, which usually occurs on Thursdays. At the SHU meeting prior to Epstein's transfer back to SHU, Dr. discussed Epstein's condition, and noted that he should have a cellmate in SHU. The Warden directed the supervisor of the SHU (Capt. I, who was present at the meeting, to ensure that Epstein had a cellmate at all times, and that the officers in the SHU were aware of this. Capt. later confirmed to the Warden that he had relayed these instructions to the SHU staff. • Prior to Epstein's transfer, the Warden notified his regional director that Epstein would be moved back to the SHU, and discussed three potential candidates to be Epstein's cellmate in the SHU. With the regional director's input, the Warden determined that inmate Reyes, should be his cellmate. • After Epstein was moved to the SHU on July 29, the Warden repeatedly reminded Capt. to make sure that Epstein had a cellmate. According to the Warden, the duty officers were required to notify their supervisor, EFTA00104865 who would then notify the associate warden and the Warden, if Epstein was left without a cellmate. • On the morning of August 9, 2019, the SHU officers received a notification that they should pack up inmate Reyes' belongings, and he left the SHU. The Warden was out of the office on August 9, and was not notified that Reyes was released from the MCC or that Epstein did not have a cellmate. We have since learned that Reyes was transferred from MCC to GEO, a separate facility. • The duty officers overnight on August 9 to August 10, 2019, were Tova Noel and Michael Thomas. Noel is a corrections officer who routinely works in the SHU. According to documents we have obtained, her shift started at 4pm, and according to Warden, she was working a voluntary overtime shift overnight. Thomas normally works in the warehouse, but is trained to work as a correctional officer and was also working a voluntary overtime shift overnight. Thomas was the first person to find Epstein, and because he has not spoken to the Warden, the Warden did not know the condition that Epstein was found in. As we discussed, today, FBI and OIG are attempting to interview Officers Noel, Thomas, and and the officers who worked on August 9 in the SHU. Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of New York Tel: EFTA00104866