Shocking Death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility Sparks Outrage.
Following the revelation of disturbing body-camera footage by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the unfortunate murder of Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York, has sparked international outrage. On December 9, 2023, the video captures correctional personnel brutally attacking a handcuffed Brooks. (Robert Brooks)
Governor Hochul Directs Employees to Be Fired
14 employees, including 13 correctional officers and a nurse, were fired by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in reaction to the attack. Hochul said in a statement that he was “outraged and horrified” by the recordings and called the murder “stupid.”
Disturbing Footage Reveals Brutality
Correctional guards are shown repeatedly punching Brooks in the face and bottom, hitting his chest with a shoes, and pulling him by the neck before lowering him onto a medical table in the body-cam film that Attorney General James made public. During the attack, Brooks was held in handcuffs.
According to preliminary findings, Brooks’ cause of death was suffocation brought on by neck compression. The medical examiner pointed out that other people’s acts caused his death.
Lack of Accountability and Transparency
“I release the videos because I have a responsibility and duty to provide the Brooks family, their loved ones, and all New Yorkers with responsibility,” Attorney General James said, highlighting the significance of transparency in this case. However, because the participating cops had not properly turned on their body cameras, the videos were devoid of sound.
Call for Systemic Change
The Prisoners Association of New York’s executive director, Jennifer Scaife, criticised the incident and brought attention to widespread racism and cruelty that were discovered during a prior monitoring visit to the prison. In order to stop further violence, Scaife demanded that the state’s jail system undertake immediate adjustments.
Union and Family Reactions
After calling the incident “horrific and extreme,” Brooks’ family attorney Elizabeth Mazur said, “He deserved to live, and others at Marcy Correctional Facility deserve to feel safe from violence at the hands of prison staff.”
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police National Association, the state correctional officers’ union, criticised the officers’ conduct, saying it “damages the honesty of the entire profession.
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A Troubling History
Just hours before to the deadly assault, Robert Brooks, who had been serving a 12-year term for first-degree assault since 2017, was moved to Marcy State Facility. Now, advocate organisations are urging more thorough examinations of the structural problems in New York’s prison system.
Moving Forward
The urgent need for responsibility and transparency in correctional facilities is highlighted by this unfortunate incident. Although Governor Hochul’s order for body cams to be used throughout all interactions with prisoners is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to address the violent culture that permitted such cruelty.
Who was Robert Brooks?
a 43-year-old prisoner at Marcy Military Facility who was convicted of first-degree assault and given a 12-year punishment.
What caused his death?
Asthma from compressed necks brought on by other people’s acts is indicated by preliminary studies.
What actions were taken?
Attorney General Letitia James opened an investigation after Governor Kathy Hochul fired 14 employees.
What does the footage show?
While Brooks was being detained, officers hoisted him by the neck, punched him, and hit him with a shoe.
What changes are being executed?
In response to requests for major prison improvements, body cameras are now required for all encounters between staff and prisoners
What are the charges against the officers?
No particular criminal charges against the cops have been made as of yet, but Attorney General James is still looking into the matter.