New York’s Governor, Kathy Hochul, has ordered the firing of over a dozen prison staff members after an inmate died from a beating earlier this month.
On Saturday, Governor Hochul announced that she had directed the state’s corrections department to start the process of firing 14 staff members connected to the deadly incident at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County.
The inmate, Robert Brooks, passed away on December 10 after an encounter with officers the day before. The governor’s office did not share details about what led to Brooks’ death, but the decision to fire the staff came after an internal review.
Governor Hochul emphasized that while most correctional officers do a great job under tough conditions, there is no tolerance for those who break the law and use unnecessary violence.
The Department of Corrections suspended 13 employees, including correctional officers, sergeants, and a nurse, without pay. One correctional officer has resigned. The department did not provide more details but confirmed that Brooks died at a hospital in Utica.
Brooks, 43, had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017.
The state’s corrections commissioner, Daniel Martuscello III, condemned the actions of the staff and said the suspensions are in the best interest of the department and the public. He vowed to pursue justice for the incident and mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, with more suspensions possible.
The union representing correctional officers has not yet commented.
Brooks’ family expressed their shock and sadness over the death. They thanked Governor Hochul for acting quickly but said they couldn’t understand how this could have happened. They also said no one should lose a family member in this way.
The State Attorney General, Letitia James, also announced an investigation into the officers’ use of force. She said her office has obtained video footage of the incident, which will be made public after Brooks’ family has seen it. James emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement to the highest standards of accountability and ensuring transparency for New Yorkers.