Jan 2, 2025 Story by: Editor
On Monday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced significant prison reforms and initiated the dismissal of corrections officers involved in the fatal beating of a restrained Black inmate earlier this month.
In a written statement, Hochul’s office confirmed her visit to the Marcy Correctional Facility in central New York, where the violent incident involving inmate Robert Brooks had been recorded on body-worn cameras.
The footage, made public last week by the state’s attorney general, is part of an ongoing investigation into Brooks’ death. During her visit, Hochul met with inmates at the facility.
“Today, as I stood in the room where Robert Brooks was killed, I was once again heartbroken by this unnecessary loss of life and further sickened to think of the actions of depraved individuals with no regard for human life,” Governor Hochul stated.
She further emphasized, “The system failed Mr. Brooks and I will not be satisfied until there has been significant culture change.”
Brooks, 43, died early on December 10, just hours after being beaten the previous evening. According to video footage released by Attorney General Letitia James, Brooks—who was restrained at both hands and feet—was punched and kicked by several corrections officers, most of whom appeared to be white.
The videos, which lack audio, do not reveal what triggered the assault. Attorney General James has stated that criminal charges against those involved are being considered. Meanwhile, an autopsy is being conducted by the Onondaga County medical examiner’s office.
Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for assault since 2017.
As part of her reforms, Hochul announced the appointment of a new permanent superintendent at the facility and accelerated $400 million in funding to install fixed cameras throughout state prisons and expand the use of body-worn cameras for corrections officers.
Additionally, Hochul has enlisted an external firm to review the culture, patterns, and practices of state prisons. She is also broadening the scope of an anonymous whistleblower hotline for reporting issues in state prisons and increasing funding for an organization that provides independent oversight and monitoring of prison operations.
An attorney representing Brooks’ family has not yet responded to requests for comment. Source: Indian Express
