A Black inmate’s death in a New York prison has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice reform following disturbing bodycam footage.
Oneida County: A 43-year-old inmate named Robert Brooks was brutally beaten while handcuffed in a New York prison, and it was all caught on bodycam. This shocking incident has left many people outraged.
Brooks passed away on December 10, just a day after correction officers assaulted him at the Marcy Correctional Facility. The footage released by the New York Attorney General’s office has sparked a lot of anger and calls for accountability.
Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, having started his time in 2017. He had just been moved from another facility to Marcy, where the attack took place in a medical exam room.
After the beating, he was rushed to a hospital in Utica but sadly died the next day. The medical examiner is still determining the exact cause of death, but early findings suggest it might be linked to asphyxia due to neck compression.
Fourteen staff members, including 13 officers and a nurse, were involved in the incident. While one officer resigned, the others have been suspended without pay. Governor Kathy Hochul has called for those responsible to be fired.
Some of the officers had previous allegations against them, which raises even more questions about the culture within the facility. The Attorney General expressed her condolences and emphasized the need for transparency.
The footage shows officers surrounding Brooks, who was restrained and being punched, kicked, and choked. It’s pretty disturbing to see how they treated him, especially when he was already in a vulnerable position.
What led to this brutal attack is still unclear, as the cameras didn’t capture any audio. The Correctional Association of New York has labeled the incident a “vicious assault” and highlighted ongoing issues of racial discrimination within the facility.
In response to the attack, protests have erupted across the state, with people demanding justice and reform. Governor Hochul acknowledged the hard work of most correction officers but made it clear that violence and abuse would not be tolerated.
Brooks’ family is devastated and hopes that his death will lead to meaningful change. They’re grateful for the swift actions being taken but are still struggling to understand how something like this could happen.
As for the future, no one involved has been formally charged yet. The governor has ordered new measures to improve safety in correctional facilities, including installing more cameras. Investigations by the state attorney general, FBI, and DOJ are ongoing.
Brooks’ family is determined to seek justice and ensure that no one else has to go through what they did. They want to honor his memory and make sure that changes happen to protect others in the system.
