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Eleven corrections officers have been placed on administrative leave following the death of 22-year-old inmate Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility near Utica. The incident, which occurred on Saturday (March 1), is under investigation by the New York State Police and the Office of the New York Attorney General.
According to CNN, Nantwi died at a hospital, but the cause of death has not been disclosed. Reports from nine inmates suggest that Nantwi was allegedly beaten by corrections officers. This incident follows the December death of Robert Brooks, another inmate who died after being beaten by officers at Marcy Correctional Facility, located less than a mile from Mid-State.
Governor Kathy Hochul described the reports of Nantwi's death as "deeply troubling" and emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth. State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III called the death a "tragedy" and confirmed that the involved staff members were placed on leave pending the investigation.
The Democrat and Chronicle reported that Nantwi was serving a five-year sentence for criminal weapon possession and was facing murder charges in connection with two deaths in Harlem. His death has sparked calls for transparency and accountability within the prison system, with organizations like the Legal Aid Society demanding the release of all camera footage related to the incident.
The investigation into Nantwi's death is ongoing, and authorities have not provided further details at this time.