“Shockwave Hits Rikers Island as Brutal Bodycam Footage Exposes Harsh Treatment of Handcuffed Inmate”

Prison Staff Caught on Camera Beating Handcuffed Inmate to Death

A newly released video shows a shocking and disturbing incident in which corrections officers at a New York prison repeatedly punched a handcuffed inmate, hit him with their shoes, lifted him by the throat, and dropped him until he died.

On December 9, 2024, a 43-year-old inmate, Robert Brooks, was beaten to death by a group of corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York. Brooks was pronounced dead at a hospital the day after the attack.

The video, released by the New York Attorney General’s Office, shows Brooks sitting on a medical examination table in handcuffs as guards repeatedly punch him in the face and groin. One officer struck Brooks in the stomach with a shoe while another lifted him up by his throat and placed him back on the table.

The footage is disturbing and graphic, and the Attorney General’s Office has advised people to exercise caution before watching it.

The incident is being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office, and Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the firing of more than a dozen employees at the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, including correctional officers involved in the attack and a nurse.

Brooks had been transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility from a nearby state prison hours before the attack. He was serving a 12-year sentence and had been in prison since 2017.

The videos did not contain audio because the officers wearing body cameras did not activate them. After the attack, the Department of Corrections issued a directive requiring staff to use body cameras during every interaction with inmates.

The final results of Brooks’ autopsy are still pending, but preliminary results showed that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression and death caused by the actions of others.

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from the public and the Brooks family. Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney for the Brooks family, said the release of the videos means “the public can now see for themselves the horrific and extreme nature of Robert L. Brooks’ fatal attack.”

“Mr. Brooks was violently beaten to death by a group of police officers tasked with keeping him safe,” Mazur said. “He deserves to live, and everyone else who lives at Massey Correctional Facility deserves to know they don’t have to live in fear of violence by prison staff.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What was the incident that led to Robert Brooks’ death?
A: Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate, was beaten to death by a group of corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York.

Q: What does the video show?
A: The video shows Brooks sitting on a medical examination table in handcuffs as guards repeatedly punch him in the face and groin, hit him with their shoes, and lift him by the throat.

Q: Who is responsible for the investigation?
A: The Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident.

Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the final results of Brooks’ autopsy are still pending.

Q: What has been done to address the incident?
A: Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the firing of more than a dozen employees at the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, including correctional officers involved in the attack and a nurse.

Conclusion:

The incident at Marcy Correctional Facility is a disturbing reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in prisons. The video shows a clear disregard for human life and highlights the need for reforms in the prison system.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and it is crucial that justice is served for Robert Brooks and his family. The release of the videos is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the systemic problems that led to this incident.

It is also important to recognize the bravery of the Brooks family and their attorney, Elizabeth Mazur, for speaking out against the incident and calling for accountability.

As we move forward, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of inmates and to address the underlying issues that contribute to incidents like this.