Speaker 1: What's up everyone, and welcome back to the Epstein Chronicles.
In this episode, we're going to pick up where we
left off with the OIG report. In the last episode,
we ended on part four talking about events of July
twenty third and the placement of Epstein on suicide Watch
and psychological observation from July twenty third to July thirtieth.
In this episode, we're going to be looking at parts five, six,
and seven. So let's start off with Part five. The
psychology departments post July twenty third determination that Epstein needed
to have an appropriate cellmate. Following the events of July
twenty third, the mcc new York Psychology Department determined that
Epstein needed to be housed with an appropriate cellmate. To
ensure Epstein's cellmate requirement was disseminated to mcc new York staff.
On July thirtieth, twenty nineteen, at twelve thirty pm, the
staff psychologists sent an email to over seventy mcc new
York staff members which read, inmate Epstein number seven six
three one eight dash zero five to four is being
taken off psych observation and needs to be housed with
an appropriate cellmate. A review of the email recipient showed
that the email was sent to, among others, the warden
Associate Warden two, the Captain, the Shoe Lieutenant, the Sis Lieutenant,
the day Watch Operations Lieutenant, the Evening Watch Operations Lieutenant,
the Morning Watch Operations Lieutenant, the day Watch Activities Lieutenant,
and CO Number one. The staff psychologists also completed a
postwatch report which stated that the Shoe Lieutenant informed inmate
Epstein needs to be housed with an appropriate cell mate.
The wharden told the OIG that the chief psychologist had
advised him that Epstein was not suicidal and was ready
to return to the Shoe. According to the warden, when
he spoke to the chief psychologist regarding Epstein, she told
them to assign Epstein a cellmate. He added that mcc
new York would typically house an inmate who was previously
on suicide watch with a cell mate. The warden stated
that there was no BOP policy mandating that an inmate
coming off suicide watch have a cell mate, but they
usually house such inmates with the cell mate. During their
interviews with the OIG, Associate Warden I, the Captain, and
the Shoe Lieutenant each said they had verbally informed the
shoe staff of Epstein's cellmate requirement and were confident that
all shoes staff members knew of Epstein's cellmate requirement. Additionally,
the captain said he visited the shoe on multiple occasions
and directed his staff to be alert and attentive about
Epstein's special needs. To Associate Warden One, the captain was
in charge of correctional services, including the shoe. Associate Warden
One said the captain should have told the shoe lieutenant
and that the shoe lieutenant should have told the shoe
staff about the cellmate requirement. Associate Warden One further told
the OIG that the shoe lieutenant was responsible for ensuring
that everything within the shoe was in compliance. Associate Warden
One told the OIG that the shoe staff knew that
Epstein was required to have a cell mate and said
she personally heard it being discussed on more than one
occasion when she would visit the shoe while performing rounds.
The captain, who supervised all of the lieutenants NCO's working
in the mcc New York, said that after the cellmate
requirement was issued for Epstein, he spoke with the shoe
lieutenant and directed him to ensure that Epstein had a
cell mate similar to the warden. The Shoe lieutenant told
the OA that while there is no BOP policy addressing
the necessity of assigning cell mates two individuals coming off
of suicide Watch, it was common practice in the BOP
for prisoners coming off of suicide Watch to be assigned
the cell mate. The Shoe lieutenant confirmed that a BOP
psychologist told them that Epstein had to be housed with
the cell mate when Epstein returned to the Shoe, and
said that he passed the directive down to the Shoe staff. Additionally,
the daywatch Shoe officer in charge on August ninth, twenty nineteen,
said he and all other Shoe staff were aware of
Epstein's cellmate requirement. Mcc new York Psychology department personnel told
the OIG that mcc new York staff members knew of
Epstein's cellmate requirement because it was discussed during staff meetings,
department head meetings, Shoe meetings, morning meetings, and during required
staff training. Forensic Psychology one told the OIG that on
August ninth, twenty nineteen, she was present during the meeting
in which one of Epstein's attorneys opposed Epstein having a
cell mate. Forensic psychologist one said she explained to the
attorney that Epstein needed to have a cell mate because
he was housed in the shoe and he was a
sex offender. Part six. Selection of Epstein's cellmate after psychological observation.
The Captain told the OIG that he compiled a list
of possible cell mates for Epstein, vetted those inmates, and
provided the list of names to the mcc New York Warden.
The warden told the OIG that he identified two potential
cell mates and tentatively decided on inmate number three. The
warden said he passed this information onto the BP director's
chief of staff and later received word that he should
assign in May three to Epstein's cellmate. The warden told
thea that no inmates were pre vetted to replace in
May three if he left mcc New York. The Warden
and the Captain told the OIG that if Inmate three
had been moved as Epstein's cellmate, they would have had
to review a new list of potential cellmate candidates to
ensure that Epstein was housed with an appropriate inmate. According
to the warden and the Captain. If inmate three was
no longer detained at mcc New York, Shoe staff should
have informed a lieutenant on duty, who should have informed
the Captain, who would have ensured that the process of
selecting a new cellmate for Epstein would begin. Part seven
Epstein's cell assignment from July thirtieth to August tenth, as
a result of Epstein's cellmate requirement. On July thirtieth, twenty nineteen,
following his release from psychological observation, Epstein was initially assigned
to sell Z zero four Dash two zero six with
in May three in the J tier of the shoe.
A BOP medical record note reflected that on this same
date Epstein was provided with his personally owned medical device.
BOP witnesses told the OIG that on the same date,
Epstein and in May three were moved to sell Z
zero six Dash two twenty in the L tier of
the shoe to accommodate the electrical needs of Epstein's medical device.
Of all the cells in the shoe, cell Z zero
six Dash twenty was the closest sell with a direct
line of sight to the shoe officers station in the
common area of the shoe, which was approximately fifteen feet away.
In May three told the OIG when he and Epstein
were first assigned to cellmates in cell Z zero six
Dash two twenty in the l tier, the day Watch
operations lieutenant told in May three that he had a
cool bunkie for him, an old guy who would not
bother inmate number three. Inmate number three said he told
the day Watch operations lieutenant that he slept on the
bottom bunk, and the day Watch operations lieutenant said that
would not be a problem because his new cellmate slept
on the floor. In May three said he was surprised
by his response because he understood that sleeping on the
floor was not allowed and he had previously been disciplined
for doing so. When Epstein arrived in the cell inmate
number three, he recognized him and said he in May
three told the day Watch operations lieutenant that the day
Watch operations lieutenant had jammed up in May three. In
May three said he knew Epstein had tried to hang
himself and had just come from suicide watch. According to
in May three, the day Watch operations lieutenant told in
May three not to worry that Epstein was okay, and
that in May three should keep an eye on him.
In May three asked the day Watch Operations lieutenant if
he was supposed to serve as a suicide prevention advocate,
that is, an inmate who was assigned to the suicide
watch area. In May three said the day Watch Operations
lieutenant laughed and brushed off in May three's comment. According
to in May three CEOs brought two mattresses to the
cell for Epstein and placed them on the floor. Epstein
put the mattresses on the right side of the cell,
which is only partially visible through the cell door window
when the cell door is closed. In May three noted
that Epstein also had two extra blankets, which in May
three said was unusual because none of the inmates had
extra blankets. In May three said he asked Epstein to
please not kill himself or hang himself while in May
three was his cell mate, because in May three had
a chance to go home soon. Epstein told in May
three not to worry and that he was not going
to cause in May three any trouble. All right, folks,
we're gonna wrap this one up right here, because the
rest of this chapter, starting with Part eight is pretty massive,
so we'll pick up with the conclusion of chapter four
in the next episode and keep it rolling. All of
the information that goes with the episode can be found
in the description box. What's up, everyone, and welcome back
to the Epstein Chronicles. In this episode, we're picking right
back up where we left off in chapter four. Chapter four,
we left off with Part seven, and now we're diving
in to Part eight. Psychological evaluations of Epstein. From July
sixth to August ninth, during Epstein's detention at mcc New York,
a variety of medical professionals, including a medical doctor, a
clinical nurse, and physician assistant one who is a mid
level practitioner, conducted multiple medical appointments with Epstein, and Epstein
was prescribed a variety of medications for various ailments and
health needs. Epstein was also given an eye and dental exam,
as well as a blood panel screening. This section details
Epstein's psychological evaluations while he was in mcc New York
custody prior to his death on Saturday, July six, twenty nineteen,
at nine thirty eight pm. Upon Epstein's intake into mcc
New York, he was medically screened by Physician Assistant number two.
Screening included taking vital signs and asking various medical history questions,
including questions related to Epstein's mental health, among other things.
Physician Assistant II annotated that Epstein did not have current
suicidal ideation and had denied having a history of suicide attempts.
Physician Assistant number two instructed Epstein how he could obtain medical, dental,
and mental health care. At two fifty eight a m.
On Sunday, July seventh, twenty nineteen, a facilities assistant emailed
the Psychology Department asking that someone evaluate Epstein because he
appeared distraught, sad, and a little confused. On July eighth,
twenty nineteen, Forensic Psychologist I of the Psychology Department conducted
an intake screening of Epstein that included a self report,
staff observation, and a review of information in century. Forensic
Psychologists number one noted that during Physician Assistant one's initial
intake evaluation, on the intake questionnaire, Epstein denied having a
history of mental health treatment and any history of mental
health symptoms. Additionally, Forensic Psychologist I noted no suicidal ideation
attempts or self harm, no history of substance abuse or treatment,
and no sexual offense convictions. During the evaluation, Epstein stated
he had been previously incarcerated for three months for prostitution
and that he was currently charged with sex trafficking. Epstein
denied recent or present morbid thoughts and denied passive or
active suicidal ideation. It was noted in BOP records that
Epstein's verbalizations were future oriented and did not have indications
of helpless or hopeless thinking. According to Forensic Psychologists Number one,
Epstein did not meet the criteria for any psychological diagnosis
and was designated as mental health care Code one. This
is indicative of an inmate who does not show any
significant level of functional impairment associated with a mental illness
and does not demonstrate a need for regular mental health intervention.
Epstein was educated on emergency procedures for contacting the Psychology
d Department staff, and Epstein agreed to contact staff if
he needed Psychology Department services in the future. The mcc
New York Chief Psychologist told the OIG that, based on
the Psychological Services Intake Questionnaire, inmates have four different care
code ratings. Code one means there are no concerns about
the inmate's mental health status. They have no needs and
will not be followed up with unless requested by staff
or the inmate. Code two means there is some history
of mental health issues, but the inmate has them under
control and the psychology department will follow up monthly. Code
three is more severe, requiring weekly visits by the psychology
department to ensure the inmate is stable, and if unstable,
would be moved to observation. Code four inmates are seen
daily by the Psychology Department and are under constant psychological observation.
The Chief Psychologists stated that a Code one inmate can
beyond suicide Watch suicide watches for inmates who are showing
immediate and exigen signs of being suicidal. Subsequent to the
intake screening, on July eighth, twenty nineteen, the Chief Psychologists
consulted with the National Suicide Prevention Coordinator from the BP's
Central Office regarding the various risk factors associated with Epstein
for suicide. These risk factors were that Epstein was involved
in a high profile case with media attention, had been
charged with sex offenses, was on pre trial status, and
there was potential for bad news from a court proceeding
that day, a determination was made. Upon Epstein's return from court,
staff were to notify the psychologist and place Epstein on
a watch status until a thorough suicide risk assessment could
be conducted. When Epstein returned from court on July eighth,
twenty nineteen, it was after duty hours, and mcc new
York staff contacted the Psychology Department and informed them that
Epstein denied suicideality. However, for precautionary reasons, Epstein was placed
on psychological observation status until Psychology Department staff could conduct
a suicide risk assessment the following day. During Epstein's period
of psychological observation, inmate companions continuously observed them and kept
a log that detailed Epstein's activities in fifteen minute increments.
Under BOP policy, on a case by case basis, the
warden may authorize such an inmate companion program at an
institution to utilize inmate observers who were selected, trained, and
supervised by the institutions suicide Prevention Program coordinator. On July ninth,
twenty nineteen, the chief Psychologists conducted a suicide assessment of Epstein.
She reviewed Epstein's medical record and interviewed him, which revealed
that he possessed some risk factors for suicideality. Epstein denied
having any past or present suicidal ideation, intention, or plan,
and also denied having any history of mental health treatment
or any current mental health symptoms. The chief Psychologist's assessment
was that Epstein had numerous protective factors that outweighed his
risk factors for suicideality, and that he had a positive
outlook regarding his legal case. Epstein remained on psychological observation
pending a suitable cell assignment, and the chief psychologist noted
that a suicide watch was not warranted at the time
of a report. On July tenth, twenty nineteen, the chief
psychologists with Epstein for a psychological observation and noted that,
according to the psychological Observation logbook, Epstein had been eating
his meals, sleeping, and interacting with other inmates. During this
meeting with the chief psychologist, Epstein voiced concerns over being
housed in the shoe. Epstein asked the chief psychologist to
be single selled if he were to be housed in
the shoe, and had also requested a shower his property,
pen and paper. The chief psychologist stated Epstein had been
provided a shower on this date. She provided Epstein with
coping skill strategies to which he was receptive. Epstein continued
to deny any suicidal ideation, intension, or plan, and Epstein
stated he was looking forward to his upcoming court hearing.
Regarding pre trial release, the chief psychologist's assessment was that
Epstein was psychologically stable at the time and then that
he could be released from the psychological observation area. She
noted that Epstein would be housed in the Shoe with
a cell mat and would be seen the following morning
to evaluate his mental status and stability. Following his July
tenth assessment, Epstein would be taken off psychological observation and
return to the Shoe with documented recommendations for his cellmate
and next day contact by the psychology department. The following day,
July eleventh, twenty nineteen, the staff psychologists attempted to see
Epstein in the morning and afternoon, but he was meeting
with his attorneys. Since the chief psychologist was unable to
meet with Epstein, the chief psychologists met with Epstein in
the attorney conference area for a psychological observation follow up.
During this meeting, Epstein expressed concerns about a number of issues,
including not yet receiving his property, not having enough water
during his attorney conference, and the desire to attend recreation.
Epstein was upset about having to wear an orange uniform,
and the chief psychologists explained the orange uniform was because
he was being housed in Schewe. During this clinical contact,
the chief psychologists provided Epstein with additional coping strategies, to
which he was receptive. Additionally, Epstein was educated about routine
and emergency procedures for contacting the psychology department staff and
reminded of self help books and audio tapes available through
the psychology department. Epstein continued to deny any suicidal ideation, intention,
or plan, and was scheduled to be seen again the
following week. The chief psychologist told the OIG that Epstein
and his attorney mockedor for thinking Epstein was suicidal. On
July sixteenth, nineteen, at Epstein's request, the chief Psychologists met
with Epstein during his attorney conference. The chief psychologists noted
that Epstein did not have any psychological concerns and denied suicideality.
The Chief Psychologists noted that she provided Epstein with psycho
education regarding additional coping strategies. Epstein was educated about routine
and emergency procedures to contact psychology department staff, and reminded
to self help books and audio tapes that are available
to them. The Chief Psychologists noted in her clinical contact
report that there was no need for follow up and
that Epstein would be seen in the shoe for rounds
and monthly shoe reviews. According to the BOP after action
review submitted by the Southeast Regional Director, the Chief psychologists
meeting with Epstein on July sixteenth, twenty nineteen, at Epstein's
request during his attorney conference was inappropriate. The Southeast Regional
Director wrote in the report that Epstein attempted to bring
his attorneys into the fray regarding the mental health treatment
being provided by the institution. In the after action review,
the Southeast Regional Director wrote that it was not typical
for the BOP to provide psychological intervention in the presence
of others, nor was it appropriate for a GOOP psychologist
to meet with an inmates attorney. When asked by the
OIG about these findings, the Chief Psychologist stated the intention
was to check on Epstein, not to breach any security.
On July eighteen, twenty nineteen, the chief Psychologists conducted a
monthly shoe review and noted that Epstein was unavailable due
to a meeting with his legal team, and that she
would attempt to interview Epstein in the near future to
complete his monthly review as noted previously. At approximately one
twenty seven am on July twenty three, twenty nineteen, Epstein
was found lying on the floor of his cell with
a piece of homemade orange cloth around his neck. The
Chief Psychologist made a general administrative note in Epstein's file
that she was contacted by the Operations Lieutenant at approximately
two am and informed that Epstein was placed on suicide
watch after he was found with a string loosely hanging
around his neck. That morning, Physician Assistant one assessed Epstein
for injuries and noted in BOP records that Epstein was cooperative,
alert and oriented. According to BOP's medical records, Epstein did
not appear distressed and was smiling during the clinical assessment.
Epstein said he did not know what happened to him,
and he could not explain the mark on his neck.
Physician Assistant one noted that Epstein had a circular line
of erythema ie superficial redness on the skin that was
two inches wide and spanned two thirds of the way
around the front and sides of the base of his neck.
According to bp A report, one section of the redness
in the front of his neck had marks of friction,
and there was no inflammation, deformities, hematomas, lacerations, or tenderness.
The BOPER report stated that Epstein was able to move
his neck without any restriction and denied having any pain, discomfort,
or respiratory problems. Physician one noted that there was another
small redness on Epstein's left knee, about two centimeters in diameter,
which was noted as mild. Physician Assistant one's assessment was
that the injury was unspecified and was self inflicted. All right, folks,
we're gonna wrap it up right there, and we're going
to pick it up in the next episode and keep
it moving through chapter four. The information that goes with
the episode can be found in the description box.