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Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the termination of 14 staff members at Marcy Correctional Facility following the death of inmate Robert Brooks. The 43-year-old inmate died on December 10 after an encounter with prison staff the previous day. Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault.
Governor Hochul's decision comes after an internal review of the incident, which involved allegations of excessive force by the staff. The governor emphasized that while most correction officers perform their duties under challenging conditions, there is no tolerance for those who engage in unlawful violence or abuse.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has suspended 13 employees without pay and accepted the resignation of another. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) described the incident as "incomprehensible" and not reflective of the professionalism of its members.
The New York Attorney General's Office, led by Letitia James, is conducting an investigation into the use of force. The office has obtained video footage of the incident and plans to release it after Brooks' family has viewed it.
The incident has sparked concern about the potential for increased violence in correctional facilities and the impact on the working conditions of correctional officers. The union has expressed its commitment to representing its members while not endorsing the actions that led to Brooks' death.