Newly released body camera footage has shocked the public, showing the brutal beating of Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate, by corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida, New York. The incident, which took place on December 9, shows officers punching and kicking Brooks while he was handcuffed and restrained on an exam table.
Brooks had been transferred from another facility earlier that day, but just hours later, he was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead. His death is now under investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has promised a thorough review. “We will use every tool to investigate this death,” she said in a press conference.
The released footage shows the terrifying violence, as officers strike Brooks repeatedly in the face, chest, and genitals. What’s even more disturbing is that two sergeants and a nurse were present but did nothing to stop the attack.
Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the incident, saying, “I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility,” referring to the duty to protect inmates. Several prison staff members involved have been suspended, with 14 others fired.
This heartbreaking incident has raised serious concerns about the culture of violence in prisons, with advocates calling for better accountability and transparency.
As this investigation unfolds, we’re left asking: How many more lives will be lost before real change happens?
