New York Governor Kathy Hochul has taken steps to address the fallout from the death of Robert L. Brooks, an inmate who died following a violent attack by corrections workers at the Marcy Correctional Facility. The incident, which involved 14 employees, has drawn widespread attention after video footage of the beating was released by the state’s attorney general’s office.
On Monday, following a visit to the prison, Governor Hochul announced the appointment of Bennie Thorpe as the new superintendent of the Marcy Correctional Facility. Thorpe, a seasoned corrections veteran, replaces Danielle Medbury, the acting superintendent. The governor’s move comes three days after the video of Brooks’ fatal beating was made public, prompting an investigation that could lead to criminal charges.
The footage, released by Attorney General Letitia James, was described as “shocking and disturbing.” Governor Hochul expressed similar sentiments, calling the death “heartbreaking” and condemning the actions of the corrections workers involved. She stated, “Mr. Brooks and his family did not deserve this.”
Previously, Governor Hochul had directed the state corrections commissioner, Daniel Martuscello III, to begin the process of firing the 14 implicated employees, which includes 13 officers and a nurse. Thirteen of these employees have been suspended without pay, while one has resigned. Several of the officers have been previously accused of abusing other inmates.
In addition to the leadership change at Marcy prison, Hochul announced that the state would accelerate funding for the installation of more cameras in its prisons, in an effort to improve oversight and prevent further violence. While some, including Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney for Brooks’ family, criticized the actions as “too little too late,” others, like Stanley Richards of the Fortune Society, praised the governor for her swift response to the crisis.
The fatal attack on Brooks occurred on December 9, and he was declared dead at a hospital the following day. Preliminary findings suggest that asphyxia caused by neck compression may have contributed to his death. Body camera footage showed officers choking and forcefully handling Brooks, who was handcuffed and shackled during the assault.
The incident, along with the release of the video, has sparked renewed calls for accountability within New York’s correctional system. While Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for assault, his case highlights the culture of violence within the prison system, a reality that has long been criticized by advocates.
As the investigation continues, the attorney general’s office is also looking into the recent death of another inmate, Elijah Tripp, at Marcy prison, further fueling concerns about safety in New York’s correctional facilities.
The release of the footage and subsequent public outcry led to protests outside Governor Hochul’s office, where demonstrators demanded justice for Brooks. Many of those attending the rally, including former inmates, shared their own experiences of brutality within the prison system and expressed hope that Brooks’ death would lead to real change.
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