Activists rally for justice following inmate's death in upstate prison
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Prison reform activists rallied in Downtown Brooklyn Saturday, calling for justice following the death of an inmate in an upstate prison.
The shocking moments before his death were caught on body-worn cameras. They showed officers violently kicking and punching 43-year-old Robert Brooks while in shackles and pinned down by several correctional officers.
Brooks died December 10th at the Marcy Correction Facility in Oneida County.
The rally comes one day after the New York Attorney General's office released body cam footage showing the disturbing incident. At one point, you can see officers striking him with a shoe and lifting his limp body by the neck to pick him up.
Ralliers expressed their outrage at the footage.
“It’s devastating,” said Indigo of the organization Dare to Struggle. “I mean, it’s like people will say he’s in prison. He must’ve done something, but the fact is he was convicted. He was sentenced for whatever it was that he did.”
She added, “He didn’t deserve to lose his life. No one deserves that and especially the horrible manner that it happened in.”
Brooks was being transferred between facilities when the incident happened. His death prompted an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation.
“I have a responsibility and duty to provide the Brooks family, their loved ones, and all New Yorkers with transparency and accountability,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered an immediate and full investigation into the death of Brooks. She also directed Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello to terminate the 14 individuals involved, which includes corrections officers, sergeants, and a nurse.
In a statement, he said in part: "This type of behavior cannot be normalized, and I will not allow it to be within DOCCS. We will transparently and independently investigate this tragedy but also our entire department to identify places where we can improve and make changes."
Staff members have been suspended without pay, and the termination process has begun. One staff member resigned before the suspension. Still, activists call for those involved to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“They should be prosecuted,” said Randy of Dare to Struggle. “Just like you beat somebody in the street and get thrown in jail for that, people who beat this man to death should face the same consequences.”
The final results of Brooks’ autopsy are still pending. However, preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate his cause of death as asphyxia due to compression of the neck, meaning his body was not receiving enough oxygen.
The DOCCSnow requires staff to use body cameras in every inmate interaction.