FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY
Community Groups and People Directly Impacted by Incarceration Gather with Elected Officials at Gov. Hochul’s NYC Office to Demand She Sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Bill into Law
On the First Anniversary of the Murder of Robert Brooks and Amid Multiple Crises in Local Jails and State Prisons Across New York, Pressure Mounts on Gov. Hochul to Take Action
More Than 150 Community, Advocacy, and Faith-based Organizations Have Called on Gov. Hochul to Increase Oversight by Overhauling Failing Government Watchdog
New York, NY: Today, Tuesday, December 9th, at 12:00 PM, people directly impacted by jails and prisons in New York, along with community and faith groups and elected officials, held a press conference outside of Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York City Office to demand she immediately sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill (S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan) into law. Today is the first anniversary of the murder of Robert Brooks, and in honor of their loved one, his family has called on Gov. Hochul to sign this bill into law.
The brutal killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at Marcy and Mid-State prisons underscore the violence and abuse incarcerated people face in New York State’s prison system. Local jails are no better. In NYC, the crisis at Rikers is also worsening, and on Sunday, the 14th person incarcerated this year died while incarcerated in city jails. At least 47 people have died in DOC custody since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
In June, the New York Legislature passed a Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill that includes overhauling the government watchdog—the State Commission of Correction—with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Marcy, Mid-State, and Rikers. But Gov. Hochul has yet to take action on the legislation. Last week, a coalition of more than 150 community, advocacy, and faith-based organizations sent a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to swiftly sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill into law.
Last night, Gov. Hochul called up the oversight bill and she now has until Friday December 19th sign it into law. Speakers at the rally called on Gov Hochul to immediately sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Bill into law as is.
Quotes from elected officials, community groups, and impacted community members:
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, said: “One year ago today, Robert Brooks was brutally murdered on camera in a New York State prison. The videos I watched of his murder demonstrated how routine that brutal violence is and the attitude of impunity held by the officers who killed him. The prison reform omnibus bill was drafted in response to Mr. Brooks’ murder and the ongoing crisis in our state prisons and jails. The bill included several commonsense and straightforward policies, and it will save lives. I urge the Governor to sign it.”
Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, said: “New York’s jails and prisons have been violent and abusive toward incarcerated people for decades, with little to no accountability or oversight. Today is the first anniversary of the brutal murder of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. We mourn this loss as this beloved son and father, he should still be with us today. The State Commission of Correction, the state’s independent watchdog, is supposed to protect the lives and dignity of people in our jails and prisons —but right now, it’s failing. If we’re serious about ending abuse and neglect in our jails, we need a Governor Hochul to overhaul this commission and sign the oversight omnibus bill into law.”
Council Member Gale A. Brewer, said: “New York’s jails and prisons are in crisis, and the horrific deaths of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi make painfully clear what so many families, advocates, and directly impacted people have been saying for years: the State’s oversight system is failing, and lives are being lost as a result. That is why I introduced a City Council resolution calling on Governor Hochul to sign S.8415/A.8871 — the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill — without delay. The legislation is a comprehensive overhaul and will finally bring transparency, accountability, and independent oversight to facilities from Rikers to Marcy and Mid-State. With more than 150 community, faith-based, legal, health, and advocacy organizations supporting this bill, the message is clear: New Yorkers refuse to accept a status quo defined by violence, medical neglect, and preventable deaths.”
Council Member-Elect Harvey Epstein, said: “The unjust killing of Robert Brooks is a devastating reminder of how horrifically our correctional system continues to fail New Yorkers. No family should learn of a loved one’s death through rumor or delay, and no loss of life behind bars should disappear into silence. Accountability begins with truth and transparency. That’s why I fought for my bill requiring immediate notice to families and the public whenever an incarcerated person dies in state custody to be included in the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, along with other measures that strengthen oversight on our corrections system. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this legislation so we can bring real transparency to a system that affects families and communities across our state.”
Ziyadah AmatulMatin, member of the Katal Center, said: “My brother, Ramadan Mubarak Ibn Abdul-Mateen, died at Wende Correctional Facility after being denied the medical care he urgently needed and enduring abuse from correctional officers. If he’d received proper care, he would still be alive. As we mourn him, I fear for my incarcerated son’s safety, who is facing the same starvation, medical neglect, and violence. Our family’s trauma is not unique; families across New York are suffering. Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi were murdered in state prisons this past year. They should also be with us today. I call on Governor Kathy Hochul, from one mother to another, to sign the jail & prison oversight omnibus bill.”
Sharon McLennon Wier, Ph.D., MSEd., CRC, LMHC, Executive Director of CIDNY, said: “The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) supports the immediate overhaul of the SCOC and calls for Governor Hochul to sign the oversight bill into law as soon as possible. CIDNY recognizes that residents with disabilities housed at Rikers Island should receive their disability-related accommodations. This is what the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its corresponding Amendments Act of 2008 stated. Regardless of your address/zip code, all Americans with disabilities must receive access to humane care and services needed to address their disability.”
Nathan McLaughlin, Executive Director of NAMI New York State, said: “People with mental illness are disproportionately represented in our nation’s jails and prisons. NAMI-NYS believes in reducing justice system involvement for people with mental illness and ensuring that any interactions prioritize health, well-being, and dignity. The Omnibus Correctional Law Bill strengthens accountability and oversight, and expands the State Commission of Correction to include individuals with lived experience, as well as public health and behavioral health professionals. These measures will significantly improve the justice system and its interactions with people who are living with mental illness and are justice-involved.
NAMI-NYS remains committed to advancing meaningful mental health and justice reform. We thank the New York State Legislature and their staff for their dedication to moving these critical bills forward, and we urge the Governor to enact them into law without delay.”
Serena Martin, Executive Director of New Hour for Women and Children, said, “New Hour urges the needed reforms of the New York State Commission of Correction. As we approach the one-year anniversary of Robert Brooks’ death, it is devastating that almost no reforms have been implemented — and it is exactly why we need stronger, independent oversight. The Corrections Oversight Omnibus Bill is a common-sense measure that will provide transparency. We urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill as-is to help prevent another tragedy, bring justice to the Brooks family and protect the dignity and lives of all.”
Jeffery Davis, member of the Katal Center, said: “What’s happening in New York’s jails and prisons is horrific. I’ve seen people denied medical care, starved of basic resources, and left to die. I survived stabbings, violence, and conditions no human being should ever face. Rikers Island is designed to break people who look like me—and too many never make it out. With deaths in custody doubling this year, Governor Hochul must act now. She must sign the Jail & Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill.”
Denise Murphy McGraw, National Co-Chair of Catholics for Common Good, said: “Catholics for Common Good urges Governor Hochul to sign the prison oversight reforms the Legislature prioritized back in June. This omnibus bill is the next step toward ending human suffering, restoring dignity behind prison walls, and providing some peace of mind for families.”
The Dismantling Racism Team of Congregation Beth Elohim, said: “The State Commission on Correction must be able to undertake it’s oversight of prisons and jails. It must ensure that all local jail and state prisons are ‘safe, stable and humane.’ From Marcy prison to Rikers Island, correctional facilities are in crisis and need an effective, functioning watchdog. Jewish tradition teaches us that to save a single life, it is as if one has saved an entire world. To save lives and worlds, Governor Hochul must sign the SCOC and Omnibus Bill as soon as possible.”
Shureen Harris, Member of the Katal Center, said: “My brother-in-law is incarcerated in a New York State prison, and my family constantly fears for his safety and whether he’s getting proper medical care. Too many people behind bars are denied basic healthcare, mental health support, and protection from officer violence. No family should have to fight for humane treatment that should already be guaranteed. That’s why Governor Hochul must sign the Omnibus Bill into law to overhaul the State Commission on Correction and finally bring real accountability, transparency, and safety to our jails and prisons.”
Kevin “Renny” Smith, Executive Director of Families and Friends of the Wrongfully Convicted, Inc., said: “Families and Friends of the Wrongfully Convicted (FFWC) calls on Governor Kathy Hochul to immediately sign the Omnibus Bill—critical legislation that addresses the ongoing brutality and abuse faced by incarcerated people in New York State prison. Too many individuals, continue to suffer violence, neglect, and retaliation behind bars with no meaningful accountability. This bill provides essential protections, stronger oversight, and a path toward ending the inhumane treatment occurring inside New York State prisons. Governor Hochul now has a chance to stand for justice, safety, and human dignity. FFWC urges swift action. Lives depend on it.”
King Downing, director of the Healing Justice Program NY/NJ of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), said: “It has been long said that, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure. In order for SCOC’s Reportable Incident Manual for County Jails and The New York City Department of Correction to have any teeth, Gov, Hochul must IMMEDIATELY sign the Omnibus Bill to give SCOC the diversity, funding and power to correct the serious problems with NY state corrections.”
Lah Franklin, member of the Katal Center, said: “When I was detained at Rikers, I was terrified because of how terrible the conditions were. It is sad, that conditions there have only gotten worse now. No one should have to fear for their life in a NYC jail. Mayor Adams’s failure to address the crisis at Rikers has led to more deaths and violence; at least 47 people have died under his watch. Governor Hochul must now step to address this crisis by urgently signing the jail & prison oversight bill now.”
Steven Jarose, representative of FTP Elders and Allies, said: “We at Rochester’s Free the People (FTP) Elders and Allies community take this opportunity to mark the one year anniversary of Robert Brooks death at the hands of prison guards at Marcy Correctional Facility by urging Governor Hochul to sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill without further delay. How many more instances of correction officer brutality must there be before we fully address prison reform and accountability to the fullest extent? We urge the governor to act swiftly.”
Justyna Rzewinski, member at the Social Workers & Allies Against Solitary Confinement, said: Robert Brooks should be alive today. Instead, his death stands as a painful reminder that our inaction is deadly. Every moment we delay, people are suffering, people are dying, and families are being shattered. We owe them more than thoughts and remembrance, we owe them justice. Pass this bill now.
Kevin Valentine, member of the Katal Center, said: “The conditions in New York’s prisons and jails are life-threatening and have been for decades. As someone who has lived through the system, I can say there is no real rehabilitation—only arbitrary punishment and constant violations of people’s rights. The brutal killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi show just how dire this crisis is. We cannot continue like this; it is cruel and inhumane. Governor Hochul has a moral obligation to sign the jail & prison oversight omnibus bill now!”
Melanie Dominguez, organizing director of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, said: “For decades, people incarcerated in New York’s jails and prisons, including our members and their loved ones, have suffered from medical neglect, abuse, violence, and death. Today marks the first anniversary of the gruesome murder of Robert Brooks at the hands of correctional officers at Marcy prison. He should be alive today, and so should the countless others who have died or been murdered in jails and prisons across the state. If the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), the independent government watchdog with authority over local jails and state prisons, was fulfilling its constitutional mandate, maybe these tragedies would not have occurred. As violence continues to increase in state prisons and the death toll mounts in local jails like Rikers, urgent action is needed to save lives. Right now, there is legislation to increase jail and prison oversight, including reforming the SCOC, that awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature. The governor should immediately sign this bill into law.”
###