Office of New York’s Attorney General Releases Body Camera Footage of Fatal Beating of Prisoner
The office of New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, released body camera footage Friday showing the fatal beating of a state prisoner, Robert Brooks, by correctional officers on December 9. Brooks, 43, died a day later in the hospital.
The footage shows Brooks, who was handcuffed and sitting on an infirmary bed, being punched and kicked repeatedly by the officers. In one video, he is seen with his hands cuffed behind his back as an officer presses his foot down on him. Later, he is yanked from the bed by his shirt collar and held up above the ground, his face visibly bloodied.
The incident is being investigated by James’ office, and Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to begin the process of firing 14 workers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, where the incident occurred. All 14 workers, including correctional officers, sergeants, and a prison nurse, have been suspended without pay, except for one officer who already resigned.
James described the footage as “shocking and disturbing” and said her office is conducting an investigation to bring “institutional change” to the correctional system. She also announced that her office will be expanding its body camera policy, requiring all corrections officers to have their cameras activated any time they are engaging directly with inmates.
The officers’ union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, condemned the incident as “incomprehensible” and said it was not reflective of the work of the majority of its members. However, Brooks’ family has called for accountability and said that no one should have to lose a family member in this way.
The investigation into Brooks’ death is ongoing, and James has said that her office will release more information as it becomes available.
