The death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility has prompted legislative efforts to reform New York’s prison oversight, according to the Correctional Association of New York. The organization reported widespread abuse, racism, and neglect in state prisons, with 80% of inmates interviewed claiming to have witnessed or experienced violence by staff.
In response, lawmakers introduced bills to address misconduct. Sen. Julia Salazar proposed allowing the dismissal of correctional staff for serious offenses and creating an independent Correction Ombudsperson. Assemblymember David Weprin’s bill would grant surprise inspections and access to prison records without formal requests.
Another bill, from Sen. Jeremy Cooney, would enable the state attorney general to appoint independent investigators for inmate deaths caused by corrections officers.
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