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Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (MCC New York) was a United States federal administrative detention facility in Lower Manhattan, New York City.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (MCC New York) was a United States federal administrative detention facility in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It was operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and primarily held people awaiting trial in federal court. The facility was temporarily closed in 2021.

History

MCC New York opened in 1975 as a federal detention facility in Lower Manhattan. It operated for decades before the Bureau of Prisons announced a temporary closure in 2021.

Role in the federal justice system

The facility served as a short-term detention site for people awaiting trial or other proceedings in federal court, especially in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. It functioned as an administrative detention center rather than a long-term prison.

Location and design

MCC New York was located at 150 Park Row in the Civic Center section of Lower Manhattan, adjacent to major federal court buildings. It was a high-rise urban jail designed for close access to the Manhattan federal courts.

Public attention

The facility drew media attention for its conditions and for holding prominent detainees such as Jeffrey Epstein. Reports described overcrowding, staffing shortages, and other operational problems in the years before closure.

Key facts

  • MCC New York was a federal detention facility in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan.
  • It was operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
  • The facility primarily provided pre-trial detention for people facing federal charges in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
  • It was located on Park Row behind the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse near Foley Square.
  • The Bureau of Prisons announced on 26 August 2021 that the facility would temporarily close.

Frequently asked questions

What was Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York?
It was a federal administrative detention facility in Lower Manhattan used mainly for people awaiting trial in federal court.
Where was MCC New York located?
It was located at 150 Park Row in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, behind the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse.
Who operated MCC New York?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons operated the facility.
When did MCC New York close?
The Bureau of Prisons announced a temporary closure in August 2021.
What kind of inmates were held there?
It primarily held federal detainees awaiting trial or other court proceedings, including some high-profile defendants.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Correctional_Center,_New_York
    Supports: Location, operating agency, and facility status.
  2. U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector Generalhttps://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/23-085.pdf
    Supports: Facility role as federal administrative detention serving the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
  3. BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49323320
    Supports: Opening date, capacity context, and conditions/public attention.
  4. NYC Urbanismhttps://www.nycurbanism.com/brutalnyc/mcc
    Supports: Opening year, address, design, and mission serving federal courts.
  5. Wikiwandhttps://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Metropolitan_Correctional_Center,_New_York
    Supports: Cross-checking general facility facts such as address and closure.