Velazquez on Inspector General MDC Report

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) commented today on the newly released Department of Justice Office of Inspector General report on Metropolitan Detention Center, which is in the Congresswoman's district. Velázquez and Judiciary Chairman Nadler requested the report in February after there were significant heat and electrical outages at the facility.

"This report confirms that there have been longstanding management problems at MDC that must be rectified. I found it particularly striking that OIG found the heat outages were unrelated to the fire that had occurred at the building, suggesting these problems may be more widespread than previously thought.

"I recently met with the new MDC Warden and am hopeful this leadership change will engender badly needed improvement at this long-troubled institution. Regardless, the OIG details nine specific recommendations and I'll be watching very carefully to see that they are swiftly implemented. We have a moral and legal obligation to ensure those in federal custody are treated fairly and humanely. Nothing less can be tolerated."

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