New York Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced reforms at the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in response to the alleged beating death of an inmate by correctional officers at a state-run prison. Attorney General Letitia James’ office released video footage last week showing correctional officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility purportedly “repeatedly pummeling” inmate Robert Brooks while others looked on. Brooks was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to authorities.
Thirteen employees of the corrections department were suspended last month pending investigations into the incident leading to Brooks’s death. Governor Hochul has instructed NY state DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello to initiate the process of terminating the employment of any correctional officer directly involved in the assault. Additionally, Hochul has appointed a new superintendent for the facility and allocated $400 million in funding to implement fixed cameras in all state prisons and provide more body-worn cameras for corrections officers.
In a bid to address the issue, Hochul has also announced plans to bolster staff at the correction department’s Office of Special Investigations, which handles complaints from incarcerated individuals. The administration further revealed intentions to engage an external consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive review of the prison system’s procedures and collaborate with advocates to expand a whistleblower hotline.
Expressing her sentiments on the matter, Governor Hochul conveyed being “heartbroken” by the “unnecessary loss of life” and expressed deep dismay over the actions of individuals displaying a lack of regard for human life. She underscored that the system had failed Mr. Brooks and emphasized her commitment to effecting significant cultural changes within the corrections system.
Robert Brooks, incarcerated since 2017, was serving a 12-year sentence for assault and battery, as per the Hochul administration. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office is conducting an examination into the circumstances surrounding Brooks’s demise.
Commenting on the incident, the American Civil Liberties Union of New York asserted that Brooks’ beating was not an isolated occurrence but rather indicative of a culture of violence and a lack of accountability among corrections officers, posing risks to the lives of incarcerated individuals in DOCCS facilities. The ACLU emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability for not only Brooks’s family but all residents of New York.
The episode has raised serious concerns about the treatment of inmates within the state’s corrections system and has prompted a series of actions aimed at addressing the underlying issues. Governor Hochul’s administration is taking proactive measures to ensure accountability, improve oversight, and foster a safer environment within the state’s prisons.
