Governor Kathy Hochul suspects a broader cultural issue in New York’s prison system contributed to the violent deaths of two inmates in Oneida County, according to reporting by WSYR-TV. She pointed to signs of cover-ups and misconduct involving 20 indicted officers, many facing murder charges.
Inmate Robert Brooks was killed in December, followed by Messiah Nantwi in March. Hochul condemned officers’ apparent ease in hiding their actions, pushing for stronger oversight, including $400 million for security and tamper-proof body cameras. She warned taxpayers could bear lawsuit costs.
The governor now faces twin challenges: driving prison reform while restoring morale among correctional staff after a recent illegal strike. She emphasized the need for systemic change and a new generation of diverse, dedicated officers.
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