United States: New York’s governor on Monday called for prison changes and started the process of terminating corrections officers involved in an incident where, earlier this month, an African American prisoner was brutally assaulted while restrained. The man later died within a few hours.
Heartbreaking Incident Sparks Outrage
A spokesperson for Kathy Hochul wrote in a statement that she toured the Marcy Correctional Facility in central New York where, as it is recalled, inmate Robert Brooks was beaten, as reported by Reuters.
The video of the violence was released last week by the state’s attorney general, who is probing into Brooks’ death. Some of the inmates at the facility were also gracious enough to pose for a quick, informal picture with Hochul.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul orders the firing of 14 prison staffers at Marcy State Prison in connection with the death of #RobertBrooks.https://t.co/dCrSS31Srz
— The Tornado News (@TheTornadoNews) December 29, 2024
“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 said in a statement.
Governor’s Commitment to Change
Hochul added: “The system failed Mr. Brooks, and I will not be satisfied until there has been a significant culture change.”
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul appoints new leader for prison after inmate death https://t.co/2sb6fYPzOh via @usatoday
— Posted.News (@posted_news) December 31, 2024
By email, Elizabeth Mazur, the lawyer of the Brooks family, stated that the changes required were “too little too late for Mr. Brooks and his family.”
“These things should have been done long ago,” Mazur said.
Attorney General’s Investigation Continues
Brooks was fatally injured in the head the night before, and he died in the early morning of Dec. 10. Footage shared more than a week ago by New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed Brooks restrained with a spit mask, a seat belt, handcuffs, and ankle restraints as multiple officers punched and kicked him, most of whom were non-Black.
The videos do not include the audio, and from what has been made available, it is not clear what transpired that led to the beating of Brooks. James has also stated that charges may be made to those involved.
Following an in-person visit to the Marcy Correctional Facility on Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a series of new orders and expenditures to improve accountability, both for the prison itself and for all prisons across the state.https://t.co/F6a6Vxz9bK
— Sentinel Media Company (@UR_Sentinel) December 31, 2024
Brooks was arrested in 2017 for assault and was incarcerated, awaiting a 12-year prison term.
In other steps, Hochul named a new permanent superintendent for the facility on Monday and moved to redirect $400 million to add fixed cameras at all state prisons and provide additional body-worn cameras for corrections officers, as reported by Reuters.
Governor Hochul also directed that all state prisons be investigated by an outside firm on the culture, patterns, and practices of all state prisons. The whistleblower hotline for state prisons is being expanded. She is also increasing funding for a group to monitor and report on prison conditions independently.