Newly released footage shows a harrowing assault on Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old incarcerated man, at Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. The videos, made public by Attorney General Letitia James, capture correctional officers repeatedly striking Brooks while he was restrained. Brooks died hours later, sparking widespread outrage and demands for justice.
The Fatal Assault at Marcy Correctional Facility
On December 9, correctional officers at the Oneida County prison were captured on body camera video assaulting Brooks. The footage, which lacks audio, shows officers punching Brooks in the face and groin as he sat handcuffed on a medical examination table.
In one disturbing moment, an officer struck Brooks in the chest with a shoe while another lifted him by the neck and dropped him back onto the table. As Brooks lay motionless, the officers removed his shirt and pants, leaving him bloodied and unresponsive.
Preliminary Findings and Official Response
Preliminary autopsy results indicate asphyxia due to neck compression as the likely cause of death, compounded by actions involving other parties. The New York Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident, though no criminal charges against the officers have been announced.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the attack, stating she was “outraged and horrified” by the “senseless killing.” She announced that 13 correctional officers and a nurse implicated in the assault would face termination.
Attorney General: Videos Are “Shocking and Disturbing”
“These videos are shocking and disturbing, and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them,” said Attorney General James. The state prison system has since mandated the use of body cameras during all staff interactions with incarcerated individuals.
Elizabeth Mazur, the attorney representing Brooks’ family, called the footage a damning indictment of the prison system’s failure to protect those in its custody. “Robert Brooks deserved to live,” Mazur said, adding that others at Marcy Correctional Facility should not fear violence from prison staff.
Brooks’ Background and Systemic Issues in Prisons
Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017. He had arrived at Marcy Correctional Facility only hours before the fatal incident, following a transfer from another prison.
The Correctional Association of New York, a prison watchdog group, previously reported pervasive brutality and racism at Marcy. Executive Director Jennifer Scaife said the attack on Brooks underscores systemic issues in state prisons that foster a culture of impunity.
Union and Advocates Speak Out
The union for state correctional officers, NYSCOPBA, condemned the actions, calling them “incomprehensible” and unrepresentative of the broader workforce. Advocacy groups, including the Legal Aid Society, called for transparency, accountability, and systemic reform.
“This grotesque display of inhumanity must serve as a catalyst for change,” said Tina Luongo of the Legal Aid Society. “Violence behind prison walls cannot remain hidden or normalized.”
David Condliffe of the Center for Community Alternatives described the incident as part of a long history of unchecked brutality in the prison system. “Accountability must include systemic reforms beyond the firing of individual officers,” Condliffe said.
