What is document EFTA00034788?

This is an internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 4, 2019, containing communications between prison staff about severe staffing shortages at the facility where Jeffrey Epstein was being held. The document was later released as part of the DOJ investigation into Epstein's death.

Who is mentioned in this document?

Jeffrey Epstein is explicitly mentioned as one of the reasons staff needed to ensure rounds were completed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). The email also references Danbury (a federal prison in Connecticut where staff had been assigned) and discusses multiple supervisors and officers whose names have been redacted.

What does this document reveal about prison conditions?

The document reveals alarming staffing conditions just six days before Epstein's death: 13 vacant posts, a facility operating on 'modified status' with multiple housing units vacated, staff being designated for duty without their knowledge, and supervisors not answering phones. This corroborates the DOJ Inspector General's findings about systemic staffing failures that contributed to Epstein being left unmonitored.

Why is this document significant?

This email chain provides contemporaneous evidence of the staffing crisis that the DOJ Inspector General later identified as a key factor in Epstein's death. The explicit mention of Epstein as a reason for concern about SHU rounds, combined with documentation of 13 vacant posts, shows staff were aware of the risks but lacked resources to maintain proper supervision.

What happened to Jeffrey Epstein after this email was sent?

Six days after this email chain, on August 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. The DOJ investigation found he was left unmonitored for nearly eight hours due to guards falsifying records and failing to conduct required checks - the exact concerns about SHU rounds raised in this August 4th email.

What is document EFTA00034788?

This is an internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 4, 2019, containing communications between prison staff about severe staffing shortages at the facility where Jeffrey Epstein was being held. The document was later released as part of the DOJ investigation into Epstein's death.

Who is mentioned in this document?

Jeffrey Epstein is explicitly mentioned as one of the reasons staff needed to ensure rounds were completed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). The email also references Danbury (a federal prison in Connecticut where staff had been assigned) and discusses multiple supervisors and officers whose names have been redacted.

What does this document reveal about prison conditions?

The document reveals alarming staffing conditions just six days before Epstein's death: 13 vacant posts, a facility operating on 'modified status' with multiple housing units vacated, staff being designated for duty without their knowledge, and supervisors not answering phones. This corroborates the DOJ Inspector General's findings about systemic staffing failures that contributed to Epstein being left unmonitored.

Why is this document significant?

This email chain provides contemporaneous evidence of the staffing crisis that the DOJ Inspector General later identified as a key factor in Epstein's death. The explicit mention of Epstein as a reason for concern about SHU rounds, combined with documentation of 13 vacant posts, shows staff were aware of the risks but lacked resources to maintain proper supervision.

What happened to Jeffrey Epstein after this email was sent?

Six days after this email chain, on August 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. The DOJ investigation found he was left unmonitored for nearly eight hours due to guards falsifying records and failing to conduct required checks - the exact concerns about SHU rounds raised in this August 4th email.

EFTA00034788 - EFTA00034789

Internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 4, 2019 documenting severe staffing shortages at the federal facility where Jeffrey Epstein was held, sent just six days before his death.

This document contains internal prison staff communications from August 4, 2019, revealing critical staffing shortages at a federal facility. The emails discuss 13 vacant posts, modified operations status, and concerns about ensuring rounds are made in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) 'not only due to Epstein but one of the reasons.' Staff members express frustration about being designated for weekend duty without notice, while multiple housing areas were vacated due to insufficient personnel. The communication chain shows a facility struggling to maintain basic security protocols during a period when Epstein required heightened supervision.

Key Highlights

•Email explicitly mentions Epstein as a reason for concern about SHU rounds being completed
•Documents 13 vacant posts and facility on 'modified status' with multiple housing units vacated
•Sent August 4, 2019 - just six days before Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019
•Staff discussing workarounds including using non-custody personnel to cover security gaps
•Chain shows communication breakdown - staff unaware of duty assignments, supervisors not answering phones

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Information

Bates Range

EFTA00034788 - EFTA00034789

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00034788

To: From: Sent: Sun 8/4/2019 12:43:50 PM Subject: Re: Out of the (Captain) TEXT htm Ok :-) >>> > 8/4/2019 8:41 AM >>> No worries about tomorrow. Take care of your business. I knew he didn't tell you because I was receiving calls and they said they tried to reach him and he wouldn't answer. But it's ok. I'll deal with it. Yesterday was a ghost town as well. said it was 13 vacant posts. Please ensure the staff in SHU make the rounds or get assistance with the rounds. Maybe Activities. Not only due to Epstein but one of the reasons. If any non-custody come in, please use them. I'm here if you need me. Thanks. Sent from my Venzon. Samsung Galaxy smariphone — Ori inal messa e ----- From: `- Date: 814119 8:32 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Subject: Re: Out of the (Captain) >>> 08/04/2019 08:32 >» Good morning Ma'am I was on staff assist all week at Danbury so I had no idea that he designated me this weekend so I'm really sorry about that. I'll help out as soon as I'm done with tomorrow and take care of things on Tuesday so you won't have to worry about anything. FYI, we are on modified status today. Staff search, Internal, 5 south, 7 south, SHU 3 and 4, are vacated. We are doing attorney visits though but we may have to cancel religious services. Enjoy your Sunday... • >>> Good morning, > 8/4/2019 8:25 AM >>> No worries. He designated you as the Captain this weekend and I am sure you weren't aware of it. I got all the calls. He's not answering the phone so I'm sure you won't get a response. I will deal with things tomorrow. both also have a lot going on. We will be fine. Thank you. Sent from my Venzon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone — Ori inal messa e From: < > To: Subject: Re: Out of the (Captain) CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_00012400 EFTA00034788

Page 2 - EFTA00034789

>>> ^ " 08/04/2019 08:19 >» Good morning. I can't act for ou tomorrow...I have the roster committee with the union for the quarterly roster. Can either do it instead? >>> 8/2/2019 5:15 PM >>> Lieutenants Please be advised that Lt. will be acting on my behalf as Captain, in my absence for Monday and Tuesday August 5th and 6th. Should you need my immediate attention please contact me on my black berry. Captain Metro litan Correctional Center New Yor NY 1 7 Office: Blackberry CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_000 12401 EFTA00034789