Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York City, New York
January 14, 2019 – (end date unknown)
An unspecified number of prisoners went on hunger strike in response to cancelled visits that were the result of staffing shortages due to the government shutdown.
The New York Times reported that the facility, which is run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is also experiencing difficulty administering medication and other medical care during the shutdown.
The hunger strike at MCC was confirmed by Eric Young, national president of the AFGE Council of Prison Locals, who spoke with CNN.
Two weeks later, The New York Times reported that more than a thousand prisoners have been without heat during a winter storm due to a power outage at the facility. The outage also resulted in lack of hot water and hot food.
On Saturday, February 2, groups in New York held a demonstration outside of the jail to demand an improvement of conditions.
Citations:
“Shutdown Prompts Hunger Strike at Manhattan Jail as Family Visits Are Canceled“, The New York Times, January 14, 2019.
“Federal prisons feel the effects of the shutdown“, CNN, January 20, 2019.
“No Heat for Days at a Jail in Brooklyn Where Hundreds of Inmates Are Sick and ‘Frantic’“, The New York Times, February 1, 2019.
Bay Ridge for Social Justice (@BayRidgeforSocialJustice). February 2, 2019. “Demand Heat for the Metropolitan Detention Center!” [Facebook Post]. Accessed February 2, 2019.
