New York governor orders prison staff involved in beating inmate to death to be fired
NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s governor ordered the firing of more than a dozen prison staff earlier this month after an inmate was beaten to death.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Saturday that she has directed the state’s corrections commissioner to begin firing 14 staff members involved in the fatal attack at Massey Correctional Facility.
Robert Brooks died Dec. 10 after a confrontation with police the previous day at the Oneida County Jail.
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Hochul’s office did not elaborate on the circumstances that led to the death but said her decision followed an internal review.
“The vast majority of correctional officers do a great job under difficult circumstances, and we are all grateful for their service,” the Democrat said in a statement. “But we cannot tolerate those who cross the line, break the law and engage in illegal activities.
On Saturday, the corrections department provided a list of 13 employees, including corrections officers, sergeants and a nurse, who have been suspended and another corrections officer who has resigned.
But the agency declined to provide further details about the incident, saying only that Brooks was pronounced dead at a Utica hospital in the early hours of December 10.
The 43-year-old man has been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, according to the department.
State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III also condemned the staff member’s actions and said the suspension was “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 for the individuals who committed this senseless act,” he said in an emailed statement. “These investigations are ongoing and additional suspension orders may be issued.”
The union representing correctional officers had no immediate comment.
Brooks’ family said in a statement from their attorney that they were “extremely shocked and saddened” by the death, according to the Albany Times Union, which first reported the death.
“We are grateful to Governor Hochul for taking quick action to hold police officers accountable, but we cannot understand why this happened,” the family said in a statement, according to the newspaper. “No one should ever behave in this way. Losing family members.”
State Attorney General Letitia James said her office is also investigating situations where correctional officers used force that resulted in death.
The Democrat said her staff has obtained video of the incident and will release it after Brooks’ family views it.
“Law enforcement professionals must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and I am committed to providing New Yorkers the transparency they deserve,” James said in a statement.
