Why this matters: This jail is known for keeping high-profile prisoners (very famous accused persons) like Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Luigi Mangione, Ghislaine Maxwell, P Diddy, and Sam Bankman-Fried. The detention center is also widely known for being old, dirty, and unsafe.

What they said: Donald Trump said during a Saturday morning press meeting that Maduro and his wife will be brought under U.S. law, will face strong legal action, and will be tried in an American court, meaning the case will be handled fully inside the United States.

• Donald Trump said they will be taken first to New York, and then a final decision will be made on whether the case will be handled in New York or Miami, Florida.
• He added that there is very strong evidence of their crimes, and this evidence will be shown openly in a court of law.

Here's what you should know about the Metropolitan Detention Center

What is MDC Brooklyn?

• MDC Brooklyn is a mixed-gender jail in New York City that holds about 1,300 people, according to its official website.
• It is the only federal jail in the city, while the local government runs the well-known Rikers Island prison complex, meaning Rikers Island is managed by New York City authorities, not the U.S. federal government.
• Zohran Mamdani criticised the Trump administration because the operation was carried out without proper coordination with city authorities, saying he was only briefed later about the couple's planned imprisonment under federal custody in New York.

• Zoom in: Most people kept at MDC Brooklyn are not yet convicted and are waiting for their court hearings.
• If they are found guilty and sentenced, they will be moved to another prison to serve their punishment, as explained in the center's legal guide.
• MDC officials refused to comment on whether Maduro and Flores will actually be kept at this facility, according to Axios.

What are the living conditions at MDC Brooklyn like?

People held at MDC have said the conditions are unsafe and inhumane, and that these poor conditions have led to several detainee deaths over the years.

• Federal judges have described the jail as "barbaric" and "inhumane", and in some cases have reduced detainees' sentences to compensate for the harsh conditions faced before trial.
• People held at MDC have reported food filled with maggots (small worms), frequent lockdowns, and poor medical care, according to Andrew Gounardes, a New York State Senator.

Andrew Gounardes also said the jail is seriously short of staff, and local newspapers, as reported by Axios, have said the staff who are present show little respect for human life and dignity.

• According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in one case of staff violence, a jail officer used pepper spray on a person having a mental health crisis, then tied the person's hands and legs, and the person was later declared dead.

Who are the well-known prisoners held at MDC Brooklyn?

According to Axios media :

Ghislaine Maxwell, who was closely linked to Jeffrey Epstein, was earlier kept at MDC Brooklyn, but in August the Trump administration moved her to a minimum-security prison (a jail with lighter rules and more comfort).

• Sam Bankman-Fried, once a well-known crypto businessman, is currently held at MDC after being convicted of fraud.
• Luigi Mangione, accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, is also being kept at MDC.
• Rappers P Diddy and R. Kelly have also spent time in the Brooklyn detention center.

--E.O.M

(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany)