WATCH: Gov. Kathy Hochul Makes an Announcement
What’s Happening?
Gov. Kathy Hochul is scheduled to make an announcement at 4 p.m. from New York City. You can watch live in the player above.
What’s Being Addressed?
Hochul’s office did not share in advance what she’ll be addressing. Odds are good that the governor will be talking about two major developments involving New York State prisons on February 20. The first was her decision to force the end to an illegal corrections officer strike by “suspending” undisclosed aspects of the HALT Act. The other was the unsealing of the indictment of the officers involved in the homicide of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility.
The Indictment
Oneida County prosecutors charged corrections officers with beating incarcerated individual Robert Brooks to death on December 9, 2024, at Marcy Correctional Facility. The charges include murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and evidence tampering. The indictment claims they restrained, beat, choked, and gagged Brooks during his transfer for a medical exam, prevented him from getting help, and filed false reports to cover it up.
DOCCS Commissioner’s Memo
Daniel Martuscello, the commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), released a memo to DOCCS Superintendents. It suspended parts of HALT, rescinded a “70%/30%” staffing order, set a 2.5-multiplier for overtime, and let strikers escape discipline if they report to work by 11:59 p.m.
Gov. Hochul’s Statement
Hochul has not yet commented publicly on the strike. Regarding the indictment, she released the following written statement:
“Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests.
“This incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our correctional system. I’ve worked with Commissioner Martuscello on safety reforms, including installing new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations and increasing compensation for our hard-working correction officers.
“Public safety is my top priority. I will continue doing everything in my power to keep our correctional facilities safe for all.”
Conclusion
The announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to address two major developments involving New York State prisons. The first is the end to an illegal corrections officer strike, and the second is the unsealing of the indictment of the officers involved in the homicide of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. The governor’s statement emphasizes the importance of public safety and her commitment to reforming the correctional system.
FAQs
- What is the HALT Act?
- What is the purpose of the announcement?
- What are the charges against the corrections officers involved in the homicide of Robert Brooks?
- What are the reforms being implemented by the governor to address the challenges in the correctional system?
- When will the announcement take place?
