Embattled federal jail to get fourth warden in 18 months

The embattled federal jail where disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein took his own life is getting its fourth warden in less than two years.

The Bureau of Prisons said in a statement reported by The Associated Press that Marti Licon-Vitale “has announced her retirement and an interim warden has been assigned until a new warden is appointed.”

The AP reported that Eric Williams is taking over as interim leader of the New York City Metropolitan Correctional Center, becoming its fourth warden in the past 18 months. The facility has been plagued by issues, including the spread of the coronavirus.

Just last week, jail officers reportedly kept an inmate in a holding cell for 24 hours, a violation of prison system regulation, while he was waiting for a competency evaluation.

Officials at the jail also delayed reporting allegations of sexual misconduct by a superior to senior Bureau of Prisons officials, three sources familiar with the issue told the AP.

The Bureau of Prisons said in a statement it was “committed to ensuring the safety and humane treatment of all inmates in our population, our staff and the public,” and that “allegations of staff misconduct are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken if such allegations are proven true, including the possibility of referral for criminal prosecution when appropriate.”

The coronavirus spread quickly in the facility last year and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic was reportedly nearly nonexistent. During Licon-Vitale’s year-long tenure, a gun was also found along with other illegal contraband, leading to an investigation into guard misconduct. 

The Hill has reached out to the Bureau of Prisons for comment.