NEW YORK — New York’s governor has taken decisive action by ordering the termination of over a dozen prison staffers following the fatal beating of an inmate earlier this month.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Saturday that she has instructed the state’s corrections department commissioner to initiate the process of firing 14 employees involved in the deadly incident at the Marcy Correctional Facility.
The inmate, Robert Brooks, passed away on December 10 after an altercation with officers at the facility in Oneida County the previous day. While Hochul’s office did not provide specific details regarding the events leading to Brooks’ death, it stated that the decision to terminate the staff followed an internal investigation.
Hochul emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “The vast majority of correction officers do extraordinary work under difficult circumstances, and we are all grateful for their service. However, we have no tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law, and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse.”
On Saturday, the corrections department revealed the names of 13 suspended employees, including correctional officers, sergeants, and a nurse, while noting another officer had resigned. Unfortunately, further details about the incident were not disclosed, except for the fact that Brooks was declared dead at a Utica hospital in the early hours of December 10.
Brooks, 43, had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017. State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III condemned the actions of the involved staff, asserting that the suspensions are “in the best interest of the agency and the communities we serve.”
“There is no place for brutality in our department, and we will vigorously pursue justice against those who committed this senseless act,” Martuscello stated, adding that investigations are ongoing and further suspensions may follow.
The labor union representing correctional officers has yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, Brooks’ family expressed their shock and sadness, stating their gratitude for the governor’s swift action but questioning how such an incident could occur. “No one should have to lose a family member this way,” they lamented.
State Attorney General Letitia James also announced that her office is investigating the use of force by correction officers involved in the incident. James revealed that her team has obtained video evidence of the encounter and intends to make it public once Brooks’ family has had the opportunity to view it.
“Law enforcement professionals must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and I am committed to providing New Yorkers with the transparency they deserve,” James stated.
