On a chilly Thursday in Midtown and Albany, a group of passionate individuals gathered to demand a transformative shift in the culture of prisons and jails across New York State. This call to action was prompted by the tragic beating death of inmate Robert Brooks in December 2024, which shook the community to its core. As Governor Kathy Hochul announced the arrest of staff members involved in the appalling attack, the rallying cry for reform grew louder.
The crowd, comprised of families of incarcerated individuals and former prisoners themselves, held signs shaped like gravestones bearing the names of those who had lost their lives while serving time. These advocates called for the immediate firing of guards at various upstate facilities who were threatening to go on strike, emphasizing the urgent need for a cultural reset within the corrections system.
Anisah Sabur, a passionate advocate from the Halt Solitary Campaign, expressed the collective sentiment of the group, stating, “We’re out here in this cold, cold weather to call on our legislatures and the governor to fire every last rogue officer. They don’t deserve to work in our system. This is the time right now to fire them. Bring on compassionate people who really want to see change in our systems. We need culture change, we need system change, and it starts now.”
Shortly after the rally concluded, Governor Hochul made a pivotal announcement regarding the guards responsible for Robert Brooks’ death. Not only were they relieved of their duties, but they were also arrested and charged with murder. In a statement, Hochul emphasized the need for reform within the correctional system, highlighting safety measures such as new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations, and increasing compensation for correctional officers.
The personal stories shared by former inmates added a poignant layer to the calls for change. Jose Hamza Saldana, who spent time at Sullivan Correctional Facility, recounted a disturbing incident where an elderly inmate was brutally assaulted for walking too slowly. Saldana’s harrowing tale underscored the urgent need to address the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and abuse within the prison system.
The demand for a cultural reset in New York’s prisons and jails is not just a matter of policy—it is a moral imperative. The voices of those who have experienced the system firsthand, either as inmates or family members, carry a weight that cannot be ignored. As the community comes together to advocate for change, the urgency of the situation becomes increasingly clear.
In the wake of Robert Brooks’ tragic death, the collective call for justice reverberates through the streets of Midtown and Albany. Governor Hochul’s decisive actions signal a step in the right direction, but the work is far from over. The stories of those who have suffered within the system serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of neglect and abuse. As the push for reform gains momentum, the hope for a more just and compassionate correctional system grows stronger.
