PRISON REFORM: Footage of a pack of prison officers brutally beating a defenseless inmate has sparked outrage across the state. It is also exposing the way the massive apparatus of state prisons has largely flown under lawmakers’ radar — and a push to change the way prison oversight is carried out is emerging. A few things that are drawing scrutiny: The “outside arbitrator” tasked with disciplining corrections officers who engage in misconduct can only be selected with the approval of the correctional officers’ union. And the commissioner of the state’s prison system — who is appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate — can’t fire or discipline any of his officers. Further, the independent body meant to conduct oversight of state prisons can’t perform unannounced inspections. (The Correctional Association of New York needs to provide 72-hour advance notice before they can enter a prison). In the wake of inmate Robert Brooks’ death, Queens state Sen. Julia Salazar is introducing a package of legislation addressing how these procedures have in part been designed by the officers’ union. “Can any of us imagine cowardly killing someone at work and thinking we could get away with it?” said Salazar, who chairs the senate’s Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction. She made her case surrounded by dozens of advocates and lawmakers — including formerly incarcerated Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs — at the Capitol today. The group is also calling for the shuttering of Marcy Correctional Facility, where Brooks was beaten. “Justice for Robert Brooks means we cannot tolerate another person being killed in our state prisons, and as lawmakers we must do our jobs by bringing transparency, accountability and safety to our prison system,” the senator said. One of Salazar’s proposals would allow the commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to actually discipline his own officers when they are found guilty of misconduct. Another would create an Office of the Correctional Ombudsperson, a new board that will investigate and oversee the state’s prison system. (The city has a Board of Corrections that plays this role, but there is no state equivalent). A third would allow the independent body tasked with oversight of the prisons to enter and inspect prisons without advanced notice. James Miller, a spokesperson for state Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the corrections officers’ union, seemed to oppose Salazar’s proposals. “While we understand the need for changes, we implore those in control of making crafting legislation targeted at the correctional system not to make the same mistake that occurred when there were widespread calls across the country to defund the police five years ago,” Miller said in a statement. “Any rash and hasty legislation will not address the deep-rooted problems of violence, it may only exacerbate it.” Miller added that his union does not support “the indefensible actions of those involved in Mr. Brook’s death.” Gov. Kathy Hochul, who earlier this month called for a “culture study” of the prison system, indicated she is on board with Salazar’s reform efforts. “Governor Hochul took immediate action to hold the alleged perpetrators accountable for the horrific killing of Mr. Brooks, including bringing in new leadership at Marcy and accelerating the installation of cameras, and she is open to working with the Legislature on additional steps to advance proactive reforms and improve safety within our correctional system,” her spokesperson, Sam Spokony, said
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