Metro NY Detention Center Inmate Search & Info
Metro New York Detention Center Inmate Search & Family Guide
Searching for the “Metro NY Detention Center” usually means Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, or MDC Brooklyn. It is a federal detention facility at 80 29th Street in Brooklyn.
Start with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. Then use this guide for custody status, federal court, visitation, money, mail, calls, legal access and transfer questions.
MDC Brooklyn Quick Information
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Its main mission is holding federal pretrial and unsentenced detainees from the New York metropolitan area.
80 29th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
U.S. Department of Justice.
Primarily pretrial and holdover detention.
Do not use the NYC Department of Correction inmate search when you are trying to locate someone at MDC Brooklyn. Use the federal BOP locator.
How to Search for an MDC Brooklyn Inmate
The BOP inmate locator covers people in federal custody from 1982 to the present. You can search by name or by a federal identification number.
Open the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator
Use the BOP’s official inmate search rather than a New York City jail directory.
Search by name
Enter the first and last name. Age, race and sex can help narrow results when several federal inmates share a similar name.
Use the register number when you have it
BOP register numbers use the format 12345-678. Number search is usually the safest way to identify the correct person.
Look at the Location field
The result should identify MDC Brooklyn if the person is currently recorded there by the BOP.
Save the register number
You will need the eight-digit number for money deposits and should include the formatted number on inmate mail.
How to Read a Federal Inmate Search Result
BOP results contain different information from a typical county jail roster. The most useful fields are the register number, location and release-date field.
| Field | What to do with it |
|---|---|
| Name | Confirm the legal/committed name before sending money or mail. |
| Register # | Keep this number. It identifies the person throughout the federal BOP system. |
| Location | Look for MDC Brooklyn to confirm current BOP placement. |
| Release Date | A future date can be a projected BOP release date rather than a guaranteed pickup date. |
| Not in BOP Custody | The person has left BOP custody but may still be held by another justice agency or be under supervision. |
BOP warns that sentence calculations can change, including adjustments involving Federal Time Credits. Recheck the locator when release timing matters.
Can’t Find the Person in the BOP Locator?
No federal locator result does not automatically mean the arrest never happened. The person may not yet be entered into BOP custody or another agency may currently hold them.
Recent federal arrest
A defendant can move through U.S. Marshals custody and court processing before the BOP locator provides the result you expect.
Possibly not a federal case
New York City, New York State and federal custody use different systems. First confirm which agency actually has the person.
You Found the Person at MDC Brooklyn. Do This Next
A federal detention result answers only the location question. Save the register number, then move to the court and family-contact tasks that matter.
Use it for mail, deposits and later BOP searches.
MDC Brooklyn primarily serves federal defendants in New York.
For a pretrial detainee, the attorney often has the best information about detention and release proceedings.
BOP visitors generally must be approved before visiting.
Do not mail money to MDC Brooklyn itself.
Routine communications can be monitored.
Bond, Bail and the Federal Court Case
MDC Brooklyn does not function like a county jail where family simply arrives at a cashier window to pay a locally listed bail amount. Federal release is controlled through the federal court process.
Holds the person under federal authority and court orders.
A judge determines detention or conditions of release under the applicable federal case.
Federal custody movement can involve both agencies depending on case status.
MDC Brooklyn’s recent attorney guide says the facility primarily houses pretrial defendants from the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
Many MDC Brooklyn detainees have cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
MDC Brooklyn can also hold defendants connected with Southern District proceedings.
MDC Brooklyn Visitation
Before visiting, confirm the inmate is still at MDC Brooklyn and confirm that you are approved. BOP generally requires social visitors to be on the inmate’s approved visiting list.
Confirm the current location
Federal detainees can be moved for court, medical, security or designation reasons.
Make sure you are an approved visitor
The inmate normally starts the process for adding social visitors to the approved BOP visiting list.
Check the housing-unit visiting day
MDC social visitation is tied to housing assignments and may differ for special housing or operational restrictions.
Call before traveling
Visiting can be modified or cancelled because of lockdowns, security events, weather or institution operations.
Social visiting framework in the current linked MDC policy
MDC’s official visiting supplement describes weekday social sessions from 12:00 PM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–7:30 PM, with weekend sessions from 8:00 AM–3:00 PM.
The same policy uses assigned housing units and an odd/even register-number system for portions of the social-visiting schedule. Do not choose a visit time from the clock alone.
BOP still links it as MDC Brooklyn’s official visiting regulation, but it is dated May 2, 2017. Confirm the current day and session with MDC Brooklyn before leaving for the facility.
Visitor identification
Visitors age 16 and older must present valid photo identification. The policy identifies government-issued ID, state identification, driver’s licenses and passports as acceptable examples.
How many visitors?
The policy generally limits an inmate to one social visit in a day and four social visitors at one time. Additional approval may be needed when the inmate has children beyond that limit.
Do not bring these into the secure area
- Cell phones
- Watches
- Wallets
- Personal keys
- Newspapers or magazines
- Unauthorized packages
- Medication without authorization
- Other prohibited property
Dress rules
Avoid revealing clothing, sleeveless tops, hooded shirts, sweatpants, open-toe footwear, clothing with holes, tight spandex-style clothing, and khaki/tan/beige clothing identified by the facility’s policy.
MDC Brooklyn Official Page BOP Visiting GuideUse the Correct MDC Brooklyn Phone Number
The current BOP facility page contains an apparent bad phone reference inside its visiting notice. It shows 603-342-4000, which should not be relied on as the MDC Brooklyn contact.
Use this as the primary MDC Brooklyn public contact number.
BOP’s recent directory and PREA audit identify 718-840-4200 for this Brooklyn facility.
How to Send Money to Someone at MDC Brooklyn
Do not mail money to 80 29th Street or to the inmate-mail post office box. Federal inmate deposits use the BOP’s centralized payment system.
BOP’s ExpressPayment program can post qualifying payments electronically.
BOP also supports its federal Quick Collect / Send2Corrections process.
Mail acceptable negotiable instruments to the BOP processing center in Des Moines.
Information you need for an electronic deposit
- Inmate’s full committed name
- Eight-digit register number
- Correct inmate identity
- BOP payment instructions
BOP warns that incorrectly entered information can cause a transaction to be rejected or even credited to the wrong account.
Sending money by mail
BOP accepts qualifying money orders, U.S. government checks, certified/cashier’s checks and bank drafts through its centralized lockbox. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
Inmate’s committed name
Inmate register number
P.O. Box 474701
Des Moines, IA 50947-0001
How to Send Mail to an MDC Brooklyn Inmate
Ordinary inmate correspondence uses a different address from the facility’s physical street address. Include the committed name and federal register number.
Inmate Name & Register Number
P.O. Box 329002
Brooklyn, NY 11232
General mail
BOP classifies ordinary correspondence as general mail. It can be opened and inspected for contraband and content that threatens facility security or orderly operations.
Special / legal mail
Properly marked qualifying special mail receives different handling. BOP says incoming special mail can be opened only in the inmate’s presence while staff inspects for physical contraband and verifies the special-mail status.
Books and publications
BOP generally permits publications that meet its security rules. Packages from home usually require prior written approval, with limited exceptions such as authorized release clothing or approved medical devices.
Funds mailed for an inmate must go to the centralized BOP lockbox rather than MDC Brooklyn’s inmate correspondence address.
Prescription Eyeglasses for an MDC Brooklyn Detainee
BOP publishes a specific MDC Brooklyn procedure for prescription eyeglasses sent by defense attorneys. This is separate from routine personal mail.
P.O. Box 329001
Brooklyn, NY 11232
BOP instructs defense counsel to include prescription glasses with self-addressed return packaging. Health Services inspects the glasses before deciding whether they are appropriate for the correctional environment.
Phone Calls and Electronic Messages
Federal inmates can have telephone and electronic-messaging privileges, but both operate under BOP security rules rather than ordinary private communication.
Telephone calls
The inmate ordinarily pays for calls, although some calls may be charged to the receiving party. BOP places restrictions on call privileges when necessary.
TRULINCS messaging
BOP uses TRULINCS for approved electronic messaging. The inmate and outside contact must participate in the approval/consent process.
TRULINCS is not normal internet email
- Inmates do not have open internet access.
- Outside contacts must consent.
- Messages are text-only.
- Attachments are not permitted.
- Message length is limited.
- Communications can be screened.
BOP says telephone calls are monitored, and TRULINCS users consent to monitoring. Attorney communication follows separate legal-access procedures.
Attorney and Legal Access at MDC Brooklyn
Legal access is especially important at MDC Brooklyn because the institution predominantly houses pretrial federal defendants. BOP publishes a dedicated MDC Brooklyn Attorney Guide.
Recent MDC attorney guide legal-visiting hours.
Count periods can temporarily interrupt access.
Published in the recent BOP attorney guide.
The guide notes count periods on weekdays around 4:00–5:00 PM and on weekends/holidays around 10:00–11:00 AM. Attorneys arriving shortly before count may have to wait until it clears.
Attorneys should use the legal communication procedures available through MDC Brooklyn and the BOP.
Released, Transferred or No Longer at MDC Brooklyn?
Federal detainees can move because of court proceedings, sentencing, designation to a prison, medical care, security needs or transfer to another jurisdiction.
BOP lists a new institution
Use that institution’s BOP page for future mail, visitation and contact procedures.
BOP says “Not in BOP Custody”
The person may have been released, transferred to another justice system, or remain under parole/supervised-release conditions.
Safety, Sexual Abuse and PREA Information
MDC Brooklyn is covered by the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act framework. BOP publishes a facility PREA audit and procedures for reporting sexual abuse or harassment.
Contact the institution when you need to report an urgent facility-related concern.
BOP also provides centralized channels for inmate safety and custody concerns.
The recent PREA audit identifies MDC Brooklyn as a federal facility at 80 29th Street and documents the facility’s PREA compliance review.
BOP Sexual Abuse PreventionMDC Brooklyn vs. Rikers Island vs. New York State Prison
These systems are frequently confused in search results. Using the wrong inmate locator wastes time because each agency maintains its own custody records.
| Custody Type | Agency | Correct Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| MDC Brooklyn | Federal Bureau of Prisons | BOP Inmate Locator |
| Rikers / NYC jail | NYC Department of Correction | NYC inmate lookup |
| New York state prison | NYS DOCCS | DOCCS incarcerated-person lookup |
| Local county jail | County sheriff/correction agency | That county’s official jail search |
MDC Brooklyn Contact Information
| Resource | Details | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| MDC Brooklyn | 718-840-4200 | Facility and current detention questions. |
| Physical Address | 80 29th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 | Facility location; do not use automatically as inmate-mail address. |
| Inmate Mail | P.O. Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232 | General inmate correspondence with name and register number. |
| BOP Inmate Locator | Federal system | Current federal location and register number. |
| BOP Money Lockbox | P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001 | Qualifying mailed inmate-account deposits. |
MDC Brooklyn Location
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is located at 80 29th Street in Brooklyn, New York 11232. Confirm visiting status before traveling because federal facilities can modify access without normal advance notice.
Official MDC Brooklyn & Federal Resources
Use these government resources for live custody data, transactions or policy confirmation. The guide above summarizes the practical information so you do not need to read every BOP document before knowing what to do.
Search federal inmates by name or identification number.
Facility resources, visiting material, mail, legal resources and institutional documents.
Institution-specific social visiting procedures and visitor restrictions.
Detailed institutional rules, mail, visitation and inmate procedures.
Current legal-visiting and attorney-access procedures.
Federal rules for communicating with and financially supporting an inmate.
Federal court information for EDNY proceedings.
Federal court information for SDNY proceedings.
Metro NY Detention Center / MDC Brooklyn FAQs
What is the Metro New York Detention Center?
Searchers usually mean Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, commonly called MDC Brooklyn. It is a federal administrative detention facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Is MDC Brooklyn the same as Rikers Island?
No. MDC Brooklyn is a federal BOP facility. Rikers Island facilities are operated by the New York City Department of Correction.
How do I search for someone at MDC Brooklyn?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Search by first and last name or use the person’s federal register number when available.
What is a BOP register number?
It is the federal identification number assigned to the inmate. BOP displays it in a format such as 12345-678, and it is needed for several mail and money transactions.
What does “Not in BOP Custody” mean?
It means the person is no longer in Federal Bureau of Prisons custody. The person could still be in another correctional system or under parole or supervised release.
Is the BOP release date guaranteed?
No. BOP says projected release dates can change as sentence calculations and Federal Time Credits are reviewed.
What is the MDC Brooklyn phone number?
Current BOP directory and MDC PREA information identify 718-840-4200 as the MDC Brooklyn facility phone number.
Where is MDC Brooklyn?
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is located at 80 29th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11232.
Can I pay bail directly at MDC Brooklyn?
Do not assume MDC operates like a county jail cash-bond window. Federal detention and release are controlled through the federal court case. Confirm the current release order with defense counsel or the appropriate federal court.
Which federal court handles MDC Brooklyn detainees?
MDC Brooklyn primarily houses federal pretrial defendants connected with the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, although an individual’s case must be checked separately.
Do I need approval before visiting someone at MDC Brooklyn?
Generally yes. BOP social visitors normally must be included on the inmate’s approved visiting list and must comply with institution-specific visiting procedures.
What ID do I need for an MDC Brooklyn visit?
MDC’s visiting regulations require visitors age 16 and older to present valid photo identification such as qualifying government or state identification, a driver’s license or passport.
How many people can visit an MDC Brooklyn inmate?
The linked MDC visiting policy generally allows one social visit per day and up to four social visitors with the inmate at one time, subject to institutional restrictions.
Can I bring my phone into MDC Brooklyn visitation?
No. MDC’s visiting rules prohibit cell phones and several other personal items in the secure visiting area. Visitors use lobby storage for unauthorized property.
How do I send money to an MDC Brooklyn inmate?
Use a BOP-approved electronic service such as MoneyGram or Western Union, or send an acceptable negotiable instrument by USPS to the BOP centralized lockbox in Des Moines. Do not mail inmate-account funds to MDC Brooklyn.
What address do I use to send inmate mail?
General correspondence uses the inmate’s committed name and register number at Metropolitan Detention Center, P.O. Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
Can I send cash in a letter?
No. BOP directs inmate-account funds to its centralized deposit system. Cash and personal checks are not accepted through the mailed lockbox process.
Can MDC Brooklyn inmates receive books?
BOP generally permits qualifying publications under its incoming-publication rules. Packages from home are restricted and normally require prior authorization.
Can I email someone at MDC Brooklyn?
Eligible inmates may use the BOP TRULINCS electronic-messaging system. It is not ordinary internet email, and outside contacts must consent to participate.
Are MDC Brooklyn calls and messages private?
Routine calls and TRULINCS communications are subject to BOP monitoring rules. Confidential attorney communication uses separate legal procedures.
Can an attorney visit an MDC Brooklyn client?
Yes. The recent MDC Brooklyn Attorney Guide lists legal visiting Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM and weekends and federal holidays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, subject to count and institution conditions.
What if the person is transferred out of MDC Brooklyn?
Recheck the BOP locator. If a new federal facility is listed, use that institution’s BOP page for future mail, visits and contact information.
Does “Released” mean the person is completely free?
Not necessarily. BOP states that someone no longer in BOP custody may still be held by another justice agency or remain on parole or supervised release.
How can I report a serious safety concern at MDC Brooklyn?
Contact MDC Brooklyn at 718-840-4200 and use the Federal Bureau of Prisons reporting resources when appropriate. BOP also publishes PREA procedures for sexual-abuse or harassment concerns.
Does being held at MDC Brooklyn mean someone has been convicted?
No. MDC Brooklyn primarily holds pretrial and unsentenced federal detainees. A detention record does not establish guilt.
This page was researched against current Federal Bureau of Prisons resources, the MDC Brooklyn visiting supplement, Admissions & Orientation Handbook, recent Attorney Guide, PREA audit and federal court resources.
Federal custody, visiting availability, facility operations, release calculations and communication services can change. Recheck live BOP information before traveling or making a payment.
Federal sources reviewedCountyDetentionCenter.org is an independent informational website. It is not operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service or a federal court.
A federal arrest or detention record does not establish guilt. Pretrial detainees are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.