Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo is an administrative-security federal prison located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Also known as MDC Guaynabo and Puerto Rico Jail, the facility houses male and female inmates.
Table of contents
- MDC Guaynabo Contact Information
- Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo Inmate Information
- MDC Guaynabo Prison Services Information
- MDC Guaynabo Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
- Visitation Information for MDC Guaynabo
- MDC Guaynabo in the News
- More Information About Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo
MDC Guaynabo Contact Information
Facility Address & Contact Information
Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo
652 Carretera 28
Guaynabo, PR 00965
Phone: 787-749-4480
Fax: 787-775-7824
Email: [email protected]
BOP Website: Bureau of Prisons Page
Wikipedia: Wikipedia Page
Inmate Correspondence Address
MDC Guaynabo
Inmate Name and Registration Number
MDC Guaynabo
Metropolitan Correctional Center
P.O. Box 2005
Catano, PR 00963
How to Send Money
Do not send money to inmates directly. See our page on sending money to federal prisoners.
Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo Inmate Information
Inmate Gender
Male and Female Inmates
Prison Security Level
Administrative-Security Federal Prison
Facility Location
Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo is located 6 miles west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, off Highway 22, at the intersection of Road 165 and Road 28.
BOP Region
BOP Institution Code
GUA for MDC Guaynabo
Medical Care Level
Level 2. See our page on Medical Care Levels and Procedures for more information.
Mental Health Care Level
Level 2.
Judicial District
District of Puerto Rico
Population Number
MDC Guaynabo, Puerto Rico jail houses approximately 1,290 inmates.
MDC Guaynabo Prison Services Information
Background
Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo is an administrative-security federal prison in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, which houses both male and female inmates. It opened in 1992.
MDC Guaynabo holds male and female detainees of all security levels who are awaiting trial or sentencing. In recent years, the institution has been under fire for inhumane conditions and deplorable treatment of inmates in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Notable inmates include:
- Puerto Rico’s most wanted fugitive Jose Figueroa-Agosto (2010 for drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering)
- Alberto Goachet (a former aide to a Puerto Rico Senator who was convicted of money laundering)
Media reports indicate that there has been a mass outbreak of gastroenteritis, one prisoner has been murdered, nine prisoners have been indicted for the planning and murder of a lieutenant, and one guard has been charged with possession and solicitation of child pornography.
Inmate Housing
Inmates are housed in two-person cells.
Health Services
MDC Guaynabo provides physical examinations, sick calls, dental care, prescriptions through the pharmacy, dental care, female health care services, HIV testing, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) education. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day.
Psychology Services
MDC Guaynabo offers psychological assessments, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and referrals to Health Services.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP)
MDC Guaynabo does not have the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). However, the institution does offer screening for RDAP. It also offers a Drug Education class and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP). Inmates who complete NR-DAP receive $30.
MDC Guaynabo Educational, Library, and Recreation Offerings
Education Services
MDC Guaynabo, Puerto Rico jail offers literary, GED, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes. Adult Continuing Education (ACE) courses include Small Business, College Board, and Advanced Math. High school diplomas and post-secondary degrees are available through paid correspondence programs.
Advanced Occupational Education
MDC Guaynabo does not offer any advanced occupational education programs.
Vocational Training
MDC Guaynabo does not offer any vocational training programs.
Apprenticeship
MDC Guaynabo does not offer any apprenticeship programs.
Library Services
Leisure and law libraries are available for inmates. In the leisure library, inmates can check out fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, and newspapers. In the law library, inmates have access to the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library.
UNICOR
MDC Guaynabo does not house a UNICOR facility.
Commissary
Inmates may spend $360.00 per month on designated shopping days. Many items are available for purchase, including food, snacks, shoes, radios, etc.
Recreation Services
MDC Guaynabo offers a hobby craft program, structured classes (e.g., fitness, nutrition, human anatomy, exercise physiology, and smoking cessation), a variety of sports clinics (e.g., basketball), table games (e.g., chess, dominoes, pool), a sewing program for the female population, and special activities during the holidays.
Visitation Information for MDC Guaynabo
On Sunday, Thursday, and Friday, visiting hours are between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. as well as 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. On Wednesday and Saturday, visiting hours are between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m., 12:00 and 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. See our page on prisoner visitation rules for more information.
MDC Guaynabo in the News
In March 2018, a lawsuit was filed in Puerto Rico’s federal court against Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo by staff alleging severe mistreatment and violation of basic human rights following the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria. MDC Guaynabo lost electricity and running water, and more than 100 prisoners were locked in their cells for nearly a week with no showers, no toilets, and limited drinking water.
In December 2015, at least 49 prisoners at MDC Guaynabo became ill during an outbreak of gastroenteritis.
In January 2015, nine prisoners at MDC Guaynabo, Puerto Rico jail were indicted and charged with conspiring to murder Guaynabo Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati-Casanas, who was shot and killed while driving on the Jose Diego expressway. It was thought at the time that one of the prisoners used a contraband cell phone to order the hit.
In May 2013, Angel Marreno Hernandez, a prison guard, was arrested and held in MDC Guaynabo on child pornography charges after encouraging a 15-year-old girl to exchange nude photos with him.
In April 2013, Glaston Smith, a prisoner at MDC Guaynabo who was awaiting deportation, was stabbed to death by other prisoners, the third ICE detainee death at Guaynabo in 2013.
In March 2009, Alberto Goachet, an aide to former Puerto Rico Sen. Jorge De Castro Font, was sentenced to three months in prison for money laundering.
More Information About Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo
For a comprehensive look at life in federal prison, pick up a copy of Christopher Zoukis’ Federal Prison Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Surviving the Federal Bureau of Prisons. For more detailed information about MDC Guaynabo, please buy a copy of the Directory of Federal Prisons: The Unofficial Guide to Bureau of Prisons Institutions by Christopher Zoukis.
Published Jun 3, 2018 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jul 23, 2023 at 2:19 pm