NEW YORK — Newly released footage documenting a lethal assault inside a New York prison reveals correctional officers violently attacking a restrained individual, Robert Brooks. The gripping video, unveiled by the state’s attorney general, depicts officers inflicting blows with their fists and even using a shoe to strike Brooks, who was handcuffed when the incident occurred on December 9 at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County. Brooks, age 43, died the following morning after the brutal encounter.
In response to the disturbing nature of the incident, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated her outrage and horror at the images showcased in the footage, indicating that 13 correctional officers and one nurse involved in the attack are facing termination. The video shows a series of shocking moments, including officers punching Brooks while he sits defenseless on a medical examination table, yanking him by the neck, and carelessly dropping him back onto the table as they strip him of his clothing, leaving him bloodied and unresponsive.
New York Attorney General Letitia James urged caution for viewers of the released videos, labeling them as shocking and deeply unsettling. Details from ongoing investigations include pending autopsy results, but preliminary reports suggest potential asphyxiation from neck compression as a contributing factor to Brooks’ death, indicating that his demise was a result of the actions of the officers involved.
Unfortunately, the footage lacks audio due to the officers’ failure to activate their body cameras during the events. In light of this tragic incident, a directive was issued by the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, mandating the use of body cameras during all interactions between staff and incarcerated individuals.
James has confirmed that her office is currently examining the incident and the excessive force used against Brooks; however, she has not yet specified whether any criminal charges will be brought against the involved officers. Brooks’ family lawyer, Elizabeth Mazur, emphasized the extreme nature of the attack, stating that viewers can witness a fatal and brutal beating that occurred at the hands of those sworn to protect the inmates.
The union representing state correctional officers acknowledged the shocking nature of the footage and noted that such behavior does not reflect the daily work of the majority of their members. They condemned the actions observed in the video, underscoring that this incident not only jeopardizes the safety of officers but also tarnishes the reputation of the correctional profession.
Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, having been transferred to Marcy just hours before the violent act from a nearby prison. The Marcy facility is located approximately 200 miles northwest of New York City.
The Correctional Association of New York, which monitors prison conditions, reported earlier instances of brutality and racism within Marcy Correctional Facility during a visit two years prior. Its executive director, Jennifer Scaife, expressed her dismay at the footage, calling it appalling yet unsurprising, and urged the state prison system to tackle the systemic issues that allow such brutality to persist.
Tina Luongo, a chief attorney from The Legal Aid Society in New York City, demanded transparency regarding the use of force by correctional staff and a thorough investigation into this incident, describing the assault as a horrific manifestation of inhumanity.
David Condliffe, the executive director of the Center for Community Alternatives, remarked on the perilous culture of violence nurtured within prison walls. He stressed that many acts of violence remain unreported or overlooked, highlighting the pressing need for accountability that transcends merely disciplinary actions directed at a few individuals.
As the public grapples with the implications of this footage, there are wider calls for systemic change to prevent such tragedies in the future, ensuring that incarcerated individuals are treated with dignity and respect, rather than subjected to brutality.
