After reviewing body camera footage that was released Friday of alleged State Corrections Officers actions at a Correctional Facility in Utica that resulted in the death of Robert Brooks, the New York State Sheriff’s Association released a statement.
The incident occurred on December 9th at Marcy Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison. 43-year-old Robert Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault. He died December 10th at a Utica hospital.
Sheriff Craig DuMond, President of the NYS Sheriff’s Association wrote:
“The Sheriffs of New York State are shocked, like all right-thinking people, by the actions of State Corrections Officers at Marcy Correctional Facility which led to the death of Robert Brooks, as revealed by body camera footage released Friday. No human being should be treated that way by another human being. And it is made even worse by the fact that the extreme cruelty was inflicted by those entrusted with the power of government, against those they were entrusted to guard and protect.
“Sheriffs operate the local jails across the state. We know, on a different scale, the difficulties the state faces in safely and humanely managing inmates and correctional facilities under current circumstances. Today, few people are interested in taking, or keeping, the difficult job of Corrections Officer. That results in understaffing and frequent forced overtime. At the same time, many inmates are emboldened by recent state laws that ban virtually all inmate discipline, thus removing most effective tools for managing prison and jail populations.
“Corrections Officers are frustrated and exhausted. It is a difficult job that we ask these good public servants to do and do right. We are grateful for those Corrections Officers who do show up for work, and who perform their jobs professionally and treat all inmates safely, humanely and respectfully. We regret that the recent action of a few has unfairly tarnished the reputation of the many good officers.
“Sheriffs of New York are today asking their jail administrators and Corrections Officers to redouble their efforts, to assure the inmates in their care that they are safe in our jails, and respected as fellow human beings. We expect the next few days to be difficult ones for everyone involved in corrections — on both sides. We ask that reason and calm prevail with everyone so that further tragedies may be avoided.”
The state attorney general’s office and New York State Police are investigating the attack.
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