New York governor orders firing of prison staffers involved in inmate’s fatal beating

Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered more than a dozen prison staffers to be fired over the fatal beating of an inmate earlier this month.

New York’s governor has ordered more than a dozen prison staffers to be fired over the fatal beating of an inmate earlier this month. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Saturday that she has directed the state’s corrections department commissioner to begin the process of terminating 14 workers involved in the fatal attack at the Marcy Correctional Facility. Robert Brooks died on Dec. 10 after an encounter with officers the day earlier at the prison located in Oneida County. Hochul’s office didn’t elaborate on the circumstances leading up to the death but said her decision comes after an internal review. “The vast majority of correction officers do extraordinary work under difficult circumstances, and we are all grateful for their service,” the Democrat said in a statement. “But we have no tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse.” The corrections department on Saturday provided a list of 13 employees, including correctional officers, sergeants and a nurse, who have been suspended without pay as well as another correctional officer who has resigned.