The Vault: The Epstein Files MCC Corrections Officer Michael Thomas And His OIG Interview Related To Epstein's Death (Part 2) (3/3/26)
Mar 4, 2026
A deep dive into the OIG interview of an MCC corrections officer involved in the night Jeffrey Epstein died. The conversation covers training, post orders, and how SHU rounds and counts are supposed to work. It explores staffing, procedural gaps, and the record-keeping that became central to investigations.
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Quarterly Signing Creates Long Gaps In SHU Oversight
- The MCC posts and requires quarterly signing of SHU post orders to confirm officers reviewed policies.
- Thomas says officers sign the SHU orders the first time they enter each quarter, not daily, which can leave long gaps between reviews.
Thirty Minute Rounds Are Flexible Not Fixed
- BOP policy requires 30-minute rounds in the Special Housing Unit around the clock, but not at fixed minute marks.
- Thomas explains rounds can vary within a window (e.g., go at 1:22 then next around 1:52), allowing flexibility that can produce uneven monitoring.
Counts Require Callouts And Written Verification
- Counts in the SHU require calling out and tallying inmate numbers on a count slip, distinct from visual rounds.
- Thomas clarifies rounds verify presence and condition, while a formal count involves calling numbers and recording times on count slips.