Starting in late January and extending into early February, the inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, reportedly suffered dark and freezing conditions as a result of a partial power loss. More than 1,600 inmates did not have access to light, heat, hot water, or hot meals since the power was lost.

Issues with heating began in mid-January, and a fire cut lights on Jan. 27. As temperatures in New York plummeted to well below freezing—nearly zero degrees Fahrenheit—detainees pounded on the windows, gaining the attention of the hundreds of protesters who gathered in the prison parking lots. These protesters tried to enter the building but were held back by guards with pepper spray.

Typically, inmates can buy warm clothing at a commissary in prison, but during the power loss, this luxury was unavailable because the facility was on lockdown for safety reasons.

Since then, the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the detention center. In a statement, the Department of Justice requested that the Office of the Inspector General “undertake a review” to decide whether the prison authorities responded adequately to the power loss.

Prison employees, inmates, and lawyers have testified before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, who is one of several judges touring the prison for violations. Reports from these investigations have said that those who were incarcerated also did not have access to medical care during the time of the power outage.

In addition, a nonprofit group, the Federal Defenders of New York, has filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons as well as the Metropolitan Detention Center warden, Herman Quay, claiming that there is a “humanitarian crisis” at this institution.

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn has also historically been the subject of complaints concerning “balky air conditioning systems” during the summer, vermin infestation, and inoperable toilets. Many of the inmates in this facility have not yet been convicted of a crime, and have been accused and are unable to post bail and are waiting to go to trial.

When the lights came back on Sunday night, protesters outside cheered and celebrated. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, “Thank you to the families, activists, and officials who fought for the dignity of people inside. More work ahead—let’s keep at it.” While electricity is back in most parts of the prison, officials have said that it will be close to a year before the electrical panel is fully repaired from its fire damage.