MDC Brooklyn Federal Detention Center Guide
MDC Brooklyn: Find a Federal Inmate and Know What to Do Next
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is a federal detention facility, not a New York City jail. Use the BOP inmate locator to confirm custody, then follow the correct federal process for court information, visits, money, mail, calls and release questions.
Find a Federal Inmate MDC Brooklyn: 718-840-4200Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn Quick Facts
MDC Brooklyn is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The BOP identifies it as a federal facility in the Eastern District of New York and specifically includes MDC Brooklyn among its pretrial detention facilities.
80 29th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Use the institution number for facility-specific questions that cannot be resolved through BOP online resources.
This is federal custody. NYC Department of Correction inmate searches do not replace the BOP inmate locator for MDC Brooklyn.
How to Find Someone at MDC Brooklyn
Start with the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. The national BOP search is more reliable than searching for a separate MDC Brooklyn roster because federal inmates can be transferred between institutions.
Open the BOP Inmate Locator
Use the Bureau of Prisons’ nationwide inmate-search system.
Search by BOP register number when possible
A register number is the strongest identifier. If you do not have it, search using the person’s name and available identifying information.
Confirm the listed location
Do not assume the person is still at MDC Brooklyn because they were previously held there. Federal transfers are common.
Save the register number
You will need the eight-digit federal register number for mail, money deposits and many other BOP transactions.
Can’t Find the Person in the BOP Search?
A failed search can result from spelling, newly processed custody, an incorrect agency assumption or a transfer. Work through the possibilities before assuming the person has been released.
If the arrest was very recent
The person may still be moving through federal arrest, court and designation procedures. Check the criminal case and repeat the BOP search after custody information has had time to update.
If they were previously at MDC Brooklyn
A sentenced or transferred inmate may now be at another BOP facility, a detention contract facility, residential reentry placement or another jurisdiction.
Why Someone Is at MDC Brooklyn Matters
MDC Brooklyn should not be described simply as a prison for convicted inmates. The BOP expressly identifies it as a pretrial detention facility, although people with other custody statuses may also pass through or remain there.
The federal criminal case is pending and a judge has ordered continued detention rather than release.
A person may remain temporarily before designation or movement to the BOP institution where the sentence will be served.
Some people are held temporarily while moving between courts, institutions or other federal custody locations.
You Confirmed MDC Brooklyn Custody. What Should You Do Next?
Save the register number first. Then move to the federal court case, visiting approval, communication and financial-support steps that apply to your situation.
Use PACER to identify the criminal docket, judge, detention orders and upcoming proceedings.
Federal release conditions come from the court. Do not expect the facility to operate like a county-jail bail counter.
BOP social visitation generally requires approval before the visitor travels to the institution.
Never mail money to the MDC Brooklyn inmate-mail address.
Federal inmates initiate approved telephone and electronic-message contacts through BOP systems.
Address ordinary inmate correspondence exactly to the BOP mailbox for MDC Brooklyn.
How to Find an MDC Brooklyn Inmate’s Federal Court Case
The detention record tells you where the person is held. PACER is the federal judiciary system used to locate federal court cases, docket entries and available filings.
The facility is located in the Eastern District, but an inmate can be held in connection with another federal court or transferred from elsewhere.
Start with the person’s full name
Make sure you are searching the same person identified through the BOP locator.
Search PACER
Use PACER’s federal court tools to locate the appropriate district and case.
Open the criminal docket
Look for the judge, case number, detention or release orders, hearing entries, plea activity and sentencing information.
Use the actual court for case-specific questions
The Clerk’s Office maintains court records; detention-center staff do not replace the court docket.
Federal Bail and Release at MDC Brooklyn
Federal pretrial release does not work like paying a posted county-jail bond at a jail lobby. A federal judge decides whether the defendant is released, detained or released subject to conditions.
If the judge orders release
Read the court’s order and follow the conditions specified in the federal case. Release may depend on conditions beyond simply depositing money.
If the judge orders detention
Family members cannot override that detention decision by bringing cash to MDC Brooklyn. Questions about challenging detention belong with defense counsel and the federal court.
How to Visit an Inmate at MDC Brooklyn
BOP visitation starts with visitor approval. The inmate normally sends a Visitor Information Form to a potential visitor, who completes it and returns it as instructed for review.
Wait for the visitor form
The inmate begins the BOP approval process after arrival at the institution.
Complete the requested information
BOP may conduct background checks or seek additional information before approving a social visitor.
Confirm that you are approved
Do not travel to Brooklyn assuming that identification alone guarantees admission.
Check the current MDC schedule
Visiting may vary by housing assignment and can be restricted or cancelled for institutional security or operational reasons.
BOP itself advises visitors to confirm institution-specific visiting information before departure because housing restrictions, weather, security incidents or operational changes can affect visits.
What Visitors Should Know Before Going to MDC Brooklyn
MDC Brooklyn publishes detailed institution visiting regulations. The rules are stricter than ordinary building-security rules, so review them before choosing clothing or carrying personal items.
Dress conservatively
- No revealing or see-through clothing.
- No sleeveless clothing unless appropriately covered.
- Skirts and dresses are subject to length restrictions.
- Closed-toe footwear requirements apply.
- Some colors and clothing associated with institutional uniforms are restricted.
Carry as little as possible
The MDC regulations tightly limit what visitors may possess inside the visiting area.
Do not bring packages, gifts, medication, unauthorized food, weapons or other prohibited items into the institution.
MDC’s regulations also state that visitors may normally visit one inmate at a time, and an inmate receives only one social visit on a single visiting day unless an approved exception applies.
Attorney Visits and Legal Access for MDC Brooklyn Detainees
Legal access deserves separate treatment from social visitation. BOP publishes both an MDC Brooklyn Attorney Guide and a federal Pretrial Detention Legal Access Handbook.
Pretrial detainees retain access to their attorneys and members of the authorized defense team.
BOP procedures address legal materials, electronic discovery and access to legal-reference resources.
The BOP handbook states that placement in Special Housing does not eliminate access to counsel or the courts, although procedures may differ.
How to Send Money to an MDC Brooklyn Inmate
Federal inmate money is processed through the BOP system, not through the MDC Brooklyn street or inmate-mail address. Wait until the person has physically arrived in a BOP-managed institution and verify the register number first.
Use an acceptable money order, government check, certified/cashier’s check or bank draft.
BOP currently supports Western Union Quick Collect for federal inmate deposits.
BOP also provides instructions for electronic deposits through MoneyGram.
BOP National Lockbox mailing format
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Inmate’s Full Committed Name
Inmate’s Eight-Digit Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001
- Put the inmate’s full committed name on the negotiable instrument.
- Include the complete eight-digit register number.
- Put the sender’s name and return address on the envelope.
- Do not send cash.
- Do not send personal checks.
- Do not put letters or other personal items in the money envelope.
The BOP specifically directs mailed deposits to its centralized Des Moines lockbox.
What Happens to Money Sent to a Federal Inmate?
Deposited funds are credited to the inmate’s BOP commissary account. The inmate can use available funds for permitted purchases and institutional services subject to BOP rules.
Approved food, hygiene, stationery and other items may be available through the institution commissary.
Account funds can be relevant to inmate telephone services subject to BOP rules and available balance.
BOP trust-fund procedures govern permitted institutional financial transactions.
Commissary inventory, prices, purchase schedules and spending rules can change. Use the current BOP/MDC material rather than relying on an old price list copied online.
Phone Calls and CorrLinks Email at MDC Brooklyn
Family members do not normally call directly through to an inmate. Federal inmates initiate approved telephone calls and electronic contacts through BOP communication systems.
Telephone calls
Inmates use BOP-authorized telephone services and approved numbers. Calls are subject to institutional restrictions and monitoring except where a protected legal procedure applies.
TRULINCS / CorrLinks
BOP inmates use TRULINCS for electronic messaging. The outside contact receives an invitation and then uses CorrLinks to correspond after accepting it.
Electronic messages are not the same as private attorney-client communication. Avoid placing confidential legal strategy in ordinary monitored communication channels.
BOP TRULINCS / CorrLinks HelpHow to Address Mail to an MDC Brooklyn Inmate
Ordinary inmate correspondence needs the recipient’s full committed name and BOP register number. Do not confuse the inmate-mail address with the physical facility or National Lockbox address.
MDC Brooklyn
P.O. Box 329002
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Before mailing anything
- Verify that the BOP locator still shows the inmate at MDC Brooklyn.
- Use the full committed name shown by the federal system.
- Include the complete register number.
- Follow BOP rules for correspondence and permitted publications.
- Do not enclose inmate-fund deposits with ordinary correspondence.
Prescription Eyeglasses for an MDC Brooklyn Detainee
MDC Brooklyn publishes a specific procedure for defense attorneys who need to provide prescription eyeglasses to a detainee.
MDC Brooklyn Health Services Administrator
P.O. Box 329001
Brooklyn, NY 11232
BOP instructs defense attorneys to include the prescription eyeglasses and self-addressed return packaging. Health Services inspects the glasses before providing them to the detainee.
Medical and Mental Health Care After Arrival
MDC Brooklyn’s Admission and Orientation handbook says arriving inmates receive medical screening and mental-health screening as part of intake and orientation.
Initial screening
Pretrial, holdover and in-transit inmates are initially processed through intake housing while medical screening is completed.
Ongoing care
BOP Health Services and Psychology Services handle institution-based health needs according to federal procedures.
Family members should not mail prescription medication to an inmate unless BOP has specifically authorized a procedure. For a serious concern, contact the institution and clearly explain the nature of the concern.
PREA, Safety and Reporting Concerns
The Bureau of Prisons maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and sexual harassment. MDC Brooklyn also has a publicly posted PREA audit report.
Inside the facility
An inmate can report concerns through BOP staff and available institutional reporting channels described in BOP materials.
Third-party reporting
BOP provides an outside reporting process for sexual-abuse concerns involving people in federal custody.
How to Check Release or Transfer from MDC Brooklyn
A person disappearing from MDC Brooklyn does not necessarily mean they were released into the community. Federal inmates move for court, designation, transfer and sentence placement.
Check the BOP locator
If another federal institution is listed, the person has likely moved within BOP custody.
Read the federal court docket
A release order, sentencing entry or other court action may explain a change in custody status.
Check sentencing status
A sentenced inmate may be moved from MDC Brooklyn to another BOP institution designated to serve the sentence.
Call only when online records do not answer the question
Have the inmate’s full committed name and register number available before contacting MDC Brooklyn.
BOP Locator vs PACER vs NYC Jail Search
| Question | Correct resource |
|---|---|
| Is the person in federal custody? | Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. |
| Are they at MDC Brooklyn? | Check the location shown in the BOP inmate record. |
| What is their federal court case? | PACER and the appropriate U.S. District Court. |
| Did a federal judge order detention or release? | Review the federal criminal docket and court orders. |
| Are they in a New York City jail? | That is a separate local-custody system; do not use it as a substitute for BOP search. |
| Where did a sentenced federal inmate go? | Search the BOP locator again for the new federal institution. |
What the MDC Brooklyn Inmate Handbook Covers
BOP publishes an MDC Brooklyn Admission and Orientation handbook rather than leaving families to guess how the institution operates. It covers intake, housing, health care, communication, commissary, legal resources, discipline and institutional rights.
Medical, mental-health and Unit Management screening begin as part of the arrival process.
The handbook explains inmate account use and access to approved institution services.
It explains responsibilities, discipline, administrative remedies and reporting procedures.
Before You Call MDC Brooklyn
Have enough identifying information ready so staff can understand the exact issue without searching from a partial name.
Use the name shown in the BOP system rather than a nickname.
The eight-digit register number is the most useful identifier for a federal inmate.
Ask about visitation, location, a facility procedure or the correct department rather than requesting broad case information.
MDC Brooklyn Address and Location
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is located at 80 29th Street in Brooklyn, New York. This is the physical institution address; inmate mail and mailed commissary deposits use different addresses.
Do Not Mix Up These MDC Brooklyn Addresses
| Purpose | Address / action |
|---|---|
| Physical institution | 80 29th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. |
| Ordinary inmate mail | Inmate Name & Register Number, MDC Brooklyn, P.O. Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232. |
| Mailed inmate funds | Federal Bureau of Prisons National Lockbox, P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001. |
| Attorney-sent prescription eyeglasses | MDC Brooklyn Health Services Administrator, P.O. Box 329001, Brooklyn, NY 11232. |
Need Federal Bureau of Prisons Records?
The BOP Inmate Locator is designed for custody/location information. Formal BOP records may require a Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request depending on the record and requester.
For public BOP records
Use the Bureau’s FOIA resources to identify whether the information is already publicly available or requires a records request.
For court records
Use PACER or the federal court maintaining the criminal case. BOP FOIA is not a substitute for the federal court docket.
MDC Brooklyn Frequently Asked Questions
What is MDC Brooklyn?
Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn is a federal Bureau of Prisons detention facility in Brooklyn, New York. BOP identifies it as one of its federal pretrial detention facilities.
How do I find someone at MDC Brooklyn?
Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator using the person’s BOP register number when available or their identifying name information. Confirm that the location shown in the current result is MDC Brooklyn.
What is the MDC Brooklyn phone number?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists the main MDC Brooklyn work phone as 718-840-4200.
What is the MDC Brooklyn address?
The physical facility is at 80 29th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Do not use the street address automatically for inmate mail or inmate-money deposits.
Is MDC Brooklyn a New York City jail?
No. MDC Brooklyn is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is separate from the New York City Department of Correction and its local jail system.
Are all people at MDC Brooklyn convicted federal prisoners?
No. MDC Brooklyn is a federal pretrial detention facility, so people may be held there while their criminal cases are still pending. Other custody statuses, including holdover or sentenced status, may also apply.
How do I find an MDC Brooklyn inmate’s criminal case?
Search PACER for the federal criminal case. Do not assume the case must be in the Eastern District of New York solely because the person is housed at MDC Brooklyn.
Can I pay bail directly at MDC Brooklyn?
Federal pretrial release is controlled by the federal court. A judge determines detention and release conditions, so families should review the court order and work with the defendant’s attorney rather than treating MDC Brooklyn like a county-jail bond counter.
How do I visit an inmate at MDC Brooklyn?
Social visitors generally must complete the BOP visitor-approval process first. After approval, check MDC Brooklyn’s current institution-specific visiting policy and confirm that visiting is operating before traveling.
Can MDC Brooklyn cancel visits?
Yes. BOP states that visiting can be restricted or cancelled because of security, weather or other institutional operating conditions. Housing status can also affect a particular inmate’s visiting schedule.
Can I give an inmate money during a visit?
No. MDC Brooklyn’s visiting regulations prohibit passing money to an inmate, and visiting-room staff do not accept commissary deposits.
How do I send money to an MDC Brooklyn inmate?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons approved deposit system. BOP supports its National Lockbox and electronic services such as Western Union and MoneyGram. Verify the inmate’s committed name and eight-digit register number first.
What address do I use to mail money?
Mailed BOP inmate deposits go to Federal Bureau of Prisons, inmate’s committed name, eight-digit register number, Post Office Box 474701, Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001.
Can I send cash or a personal check to a federal inmate?
No. The BOP National Lockbox instructions state that cash and personal checks are not accepted. Use one of the acceptable negotiable instruments or an approved electronic deposit option.
What is the MDC Brooklyn inmate mailing address?
Ordinary correspondence is addressed using the inmate’s full name and register number to MDC Brooklyn, P.O. Box 329002, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
Can I email an inmate at MDC Brooklyn?
Federal inmates use BOP’s TRULINCS electronic messaging system. Outside contacts receive an invitation and communicate through CorrLinks after accepting the request.
How long is a CorrLinks invitation valid?
BOP states that the identification code in its system-generated invitation is valid for 10 days. If it expires, the inmate must add the contact again so another invitation is generated.
Can I directly phone an MDC Brooklyn inmate?
You generally cannot place a normal incoming call directly to an inmate. The inmate uses BOP-authorized telephone services to make approved outgoing calls.
What if the inmate is no longer at MDC Brooklyn?
Search the BOP Inmate Locator again. The person may have been transferred, designated to another federal institution, released under a court order or moved after sentencing.
Does disappearing from MDC Brooklyn mean the inmate was released?
No. A change in facility can mean transfer rather than release. Check both the BOP locator and the federal court docket before drawing a conclusion.
How can an attorney obtain information about legal access at MDC Brooklyn?
The BOP publishes a dedicated MDC Brooklyn Attorney Guide plus a Pretrial Detention Legal Access Handbook covering attorney communication, legal visits and access to case materials.
Does MDC Brooklyn provide medical screening after arrival?
Yes. The institution’s Admission and Orientation handbook states that arriving inmates receive Health Services and mental-health screening as part of intake.
Where can sexual abuse or harassment concerns be reported?
BOP maintains PREA reporting procedures, including institution and third-party reporting channels. Its official sexual-abuse prevention page explains the available process.
Does being held at MDC Brooklyn mean the person is guilty?
No. Detention is not a finding of guilt. Many MDC Brooklyn detainees are in federal pretrial custody while their criminal cases remain pending.
Official MDC Brooklyn and Federal Resources
These links are primarily for live searches, transactions, current policies and original government documents. The guide above explains the process so you do not need to open every government page just to understand what to do.
Facility contact, current visiting information, inmate mail and MDC-specific resources.
Use to confirm federal custody and the inmate’s currently reported BOP institution.
Explains the federal visitor application and approval process.
Institution-specific visitor conduct, clothing and visitation procedures.
Current National Lockbox and approved electronic deposit procedures.
Electronic inmate communication process and troubleshooting.
Institution rules covering intake, services, health, commissary, communication and inmate responsibilities.
Detailed procedures for attorneys representing defendants held at MDC Brooklyn.
BOP guide to attorney access, legal materials and court access for adults in federal pretrial custody.
Official federal judiciary system for locating federal cases, dockets and available filings.
Official federal court serving Brooklyn and other parts of the Eastern District.
Use when a formal federal records request is appropriate.
Official federal information about reporting sexual abuse or harassment in BOP custody.
This guide was researched using the Federal Bureau of Prisons MDC Brooklyn facility page, MDC Admission & Orientation Handbook, MDC visiting regulations, MDC Attorney Guide, federal Pretrial Detention Legal Access Handbook, BOP communication and deposit guidance, PACER and federal court resources.
Custody location, visits, institutional operations, court hearings and service procedures can change. Confirm live information before traveling, sending money or making a time-sensitive decision.
CountyDetentionCenter.org is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by, affiliated with or endorsed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, MDC Brooklyn, the U.S. District Courts or the U.S. Department of Justice.