FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow on X @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers
At Latest Meeting, State Commission on Correction, with Oversight Authority over Jails and Prisons, Refuses to Address Killing of Robert Brook By Correctional Officers
Community Groups Call for Legislative Change to Make Commission Meet its Mandate for Oversight and Accountability
Albany, NY – Today, the State Commission of Corrections – an independent body with a constitutional mandate to ensure that state prisons and local jails are “safe, stable, and humane” – met for its monthly meeting, and again failed to address the murder of Robert Brooks. Mr. Brooks was the victim of a fatal beating by correctional officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in December. Today’s meeting was the second time the Commission has convened since the murder of Mr. Brooks, but they have yet to include this abhorrent tragedy on their agenda – a gross failure of responsibility, as the SCOC is obligated to shut down jails and prisons that do not comply with minimum standards and constitutional obligations.
Earlier this week, community groups and advocates flooded the halls of the State Capitol demanding justice for Robert Brooks and called for the closing of Marcy. The scandal at Marcy has brought renewed attention to the State Commission of Correction (SCOC), which has for years failed to take meaningful action to address the harmful, dangerous conditions inside jails and prisons across the state. For instance, in 2018, the SCOC released a report about the state’s worst jails, and Rikers Island topped the list with leadership failures, flagrantly unsafe conditions, and more. Yet, years later, little to no action has been taken by this commission on their findings and recommendations. Today, a federal judge is on the verge of appointing a federal receivership at Rikers to improve conditions and reduce violence. By definition, the federal court’s actions show that the SCOC fails to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.
The SCOC is in dire need of an overhaul. Bipartisan legislation S856 (Salazar) / A2315 (Gallagher) is pending in Albany to expand and strengthen the SCOC. The proposal increases the number of members of the SCOC from three to nine. Also, it codifies the manner of confirmation of such members to diversify the commission. Community groups and directly impacted people across the state have called for Albany to pass this legislation and make the SCOC meet its mandate.
Quotes from elected officials, community groups, and directly impacted people:
Senator Julia Salazar, Prime Bill Sponsor, said:“As Chair for the New York State Senate Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections, I’m heartened to introduce S856 as a tangible measure for public safety for all New Yorkers. Alongside its counterpart in the Assembly (A2315), this legislation will expand the State Commission of Correction to include leadership selected for their experience and mastery of public and behavioral health and litigation for the rights of incarcerated people. Regarding the legacy of violences withheld behind the walls of New York State’s prisons, this change in oversight is simple common sense.”
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Prime Bill Sponsor, said: “How many more incarcerated people have to die before we take our responsibility for correctional oversight seriously? The gruesome lynching of Robert Brooks—caught on camera, by accident—showed us how commonplace and blasé this violence against incarcerated people is. The State Commission of Correction has the statutory power to provide meaningful oversight and accountability. But in today’s meeting, the Commission didn’t even mention Robert Brooks, much less discuss how it might prevent future tragedies from happening. The SCOC has the legal authority to close Marcy, a prison with a well-documented history of violence, racism, and abuse, but that was also not discussed in the meeting. It is time we expand the SCOC and ensure that its members have the expertise necessary to advocate for incarcerated people. Doing so is a matter of life and death.”
Danielle Lynn Shanks-Efuntosin, Leader of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, said: “In New York State, individuals behind bars who have a mental illness are not receiving the best treatment or proper supervision. My son who has a mental illness was sent to Rikers and while being detained there he has been exposed to so many horrific conditions that have only exacerbated his mental health. The NYC Department of Corrections does not have adequate accommodations to treat someone who is suffering from a health condition. To make matters worse individuals being held at a local jail or prison across the state are subjected to horrible violence at the hands of correctional officers. Incarcerated people are being murdered, and their families are not getting the justice they deserve. It is sickening that these shattered facilities are allowed to operate when they should be shut down. As an independent body with the power to shut correctional facilities failing to meet the basic standards of keeping incarcerated people safe, they must exercise this power. That is precisely why I urge the legislature to swiftly pass the legislation (S.856 / A.2315) to expand and strengthen the State Commission of Corrections.”
Tawana Atkins, Member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, said: “There are so many individuals detained in jails and prisons that have or currently are being mistreated and exposed to inhumane conditions. This should not be the case, and they, like all of us, deserve basic human rights. Their families also deserve peace of mind that their loved ones are not being hurt. As a mother of a son who has been incarcerated at Rikers and has endured horrific brutality at the hands of correctional officers, I will not stop fighting alongside other mothers who are worried about the safety of their kids. My heart goes out to all the parents who have lost their children at the hands of this cruel criminal legal system. The legislation to expand the State Commission of Correction (S.856 / A.2315) is a necessary step to keep people safe who are detained in a state correctional facility and local jails. They have the power to ensure that the constitutional rights of people detained are being protected and if they aren’t they can mandate reform or shut down the facility. As it is needed with Rikers Island, which for decades has violated people’s basic rights and must be shut down. I urge the legislature to immediately pass this legislation for the safety of our families.”
Samuel Sainplice, Leader of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “So many of my friends have been detained in a New York State correctional facilities and some are currently detained at Rikers. While at that wretched hellhole, known as Rikers, they are exposed to so many injustices like racketeering, blackmailing, and violence from correctional officers and other incarcerated people. The conditions at Rikers are horrifying— the correctional officers do absolutely nothing to keep incarcerated people safe. This is happening not just at Rikers but in jails across the state. We are sick and tired of the corruption and injustices. That is why I urge the legislature to pass S.856/A.2315 to expand and bolster the State Commission of Correction to ensure they address the inhumane conditions at Rikers Island.”
Anthony Maund, Leader of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “No one should have to fear for their lives while incarcerated. Yet, this is the reality for the majority of New Yorkers detained in New York State jails and prisons. I have had many situations where a correctional officer has been extremely heavy-handed and used physical force on me. I am lucky to be out alive but that is not the case for so many others who have died behind bars. In December 2024, Robert Brooks was murdered at the hands of correctional officers at Marcy Correctional Facility. This is incredibly sad not only to the family of the person but they took someone important to the world. The Department of Corrections is proud to say these things like Custody, Care, and Control. They had the Custody, but where was the care and Control of these awful Corrections staff? It’s very upsetting! Actions like these must be put to an end. I urge the state to swiftly and immediately pass S.856 / A.2315, which expands and bolsters the State Commission of Correction to ensure they fulfill their purpose of ensuring that all of these correctional facilities are humane and do not violate people’s constitutional rights as it was in the case of Rober Brooks. I implore the legislature to not wait any longer and pass this bill now!
Yonah Zeitz, Advocacy Director of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “It is shameful and outrageous that over six weeks have passed since the gruesome murder of Robert Brooks, and the State Commission of Correction has neither said nor done anything. They are tasked with ensuring safe and humane correctional facilities and are completely failing to fulfill this responsibility. Conditions in local jails, like Rikers Island, have gotten so bad that a federal judge is on the verge of taking their most drastic measure to ensure constitutional compliance by appointing a federal receivership – further emphasizing the SCOC’s failure.
New Yorkers, including Katal members with loved ones currently behind bars, are deeply concerned about the intense violence and deadly conditions facing incarcerated people across the state. The New York legislature must take urgent action to stem the violence and abuse, or more New Yorkers will die behind bars. Passing S856 (Salazar) / A2315 (Gallagher) can activate and strengthen the SCOC to fulfill its mandate and urgently address the life-threatening conditions in our state’s jails and prisons.”
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