Serving Clients in the Second Circuit and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
MDC Booking Process
What is the overview of the process for booking a non-urgent legal call with my client at the MDC?
1. Find out if your client is at the MDC through BOP Inmate lookup
Figure 1. BOP Lookup interface
2. Find out what floor your client is on through the self-service notification tool. Once you submit your client's information, you will either receive an automated email from us informing you what floor/unit your client is on or you will receive an automated email from us informing you we could not find your client in our database. It is crucial that you spell the client’s name in the same way it is spelled on the BOP inmate lookup and that you accurately enter the register number.
Figure 2 Self Service Notification Tool instructions
Figure 3 Self Service Notification Tool Form fields
Figure 4 Self Service Notification Tool Form fields
Figure 5 Email from Self Service Notification Tool informing attorney what floor their client is on
Please note – it can take up to 15 minutes for our automated system to email you what floor your client is on or if we can't find your client in our database
Please note – if your client was recently arrested, it can take up to a week for them to appear in our database. Please email us at NYS_MDCemail@fd.org if this is the case. Recent arrests are most frequently placed in unit 41 (the intake/quarantine unit).
3. Book the call through the Skedda self-scheduling calendar interface.
If you don't have a Skedda account, please register here.
Navigate to a date and time that works for you in the Skedda self-scheduling calendar interface.
Figure 6 Skedda calendar interface with 9:30 slot selected for Floor 4 - Call - West Building
Click on the slot that works for you
Figure 7 Skedda form fields
Input your information in the form
Figure 8 Skedda form fields with confirmation button
Click "Confirm Booking"
4. Receive an automated confirmation email from Skedda
This email will allow you to edit or cancel your call up to 28 hours before the call.
This email will only go to the person who booked the call and not to other members of the group. The person who booked the call must forward it to everyone else.
5. The day before your call, you will receive an automated reminder email from Federal Defenders. If you booked a video teleconference, this email will contain the link to the video teleconference.
This email will only go to the person who booked the call and not to other members of the group. The person who did the booking must forward it to everyone else.
6. After your call, receive an automated survey from Federal Defenders asking if the call happened and if there were any issues during the call. Please fill out the form and provide as much detail as possible, particularly with respect to any problems with the call or VTC. If you don’t fill out the form, we cannot provide accurate data to the court about any legal access issues.
Will I receive confirmation that my call has been booked?
Yes, once you place the call through Skedda, you will receive an automated confirmation email from Skedda. Note: this email will ONLY go to the person who booked the call on Skedda. It will not automatically go to other members of the team.
I am a retained expert, investigator, mitigation specialist, or represent the person at MDC in civil or state criminal proceedings. Can I book a call with my client at MDC?
Yes, follow the process outlined above. But only lawyers are “pre-cleared” for legal calls and VTCs. If you are an expert, investigator, mitigation specialist, or paralegal, you must first obtain NCIC clearance from the MDC (the same clearance needed for in person visits).
How do I (or my staff or expert) obtain clearance from the MDC?
Email BRO-LegalVisit-S@bop.gov and ask for an MDC clearance application. Complete the application and return to the MDC by mail at:
ATTN: MDC Legal Department
MDC BROOKLYN
METROPOLITAN DETENTION CENTER
P.O. BOX 329001
BROOKLYN, NY 11232
I've previously submitted my clearance application by email – can I still submit by email?
No, the MDC recently changed its policy on clearance applications and now only accepts completed applications by mail.
How long will it take for the MDC to approve my clearance application?
Anywhere from one week to a month is typical. If you don't hear anything from MDC after a week, email them at BRO-LegalVisit-S@bop.gov to ask for a status update.
How will the MDC notify me of my clearance application approval?
The MDC may call or email you to let you know of your approval.