His death is not an isolated incident—it is the product of a system built on violence, dehumanization, and unchecked abuse.
Utica, NY – Yesterday’s announcement that multiple correctional officers have been charged with second-degree murder, gang assault, and manslaughter in the death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility is a long-overdue step toward accountability—but justice delayed is justice denied. This brutal act should never have happened in the first place. No one should fear for their life while in the custody of a system that claims to provide rehabilitation and safety.
The officers charged in Robert Brooks’ killing are not exceptions; they are symptoms of a system built on violence, cruelty, and a fundamental disregard for human life. The indictments are not enough. They will not bring Robert Brooks back to his loved ones. They will not erase the deep trauma inflicted by a culture of unchecked power inside our correctional facilities. They will not undo the years of state-sanctioned violence that have been allowed to persevere.
“For too long, the brutality that takes place behind prison walls has been ignored, excused, or swept under the rug,” said Senya Bekui, Lead Organizer of the Central New York Chapter at Citizen Action of New York. “Justice is not just about punishment after the fact—it’s about ensuring this never happens again. The fact officers and staff at Marcy Correctional Facility acted as a violent gang and took the life of a man in their custody is a horrifying reminder of why our criminal legal system must be dismantled and rebuilt with justice at its core.”
“It was obvious during the arraignments that our justice system operates on a double standard,” said Shana Dahlin, Citizen Action of New York Board President. “Nine correctional officers were charged with murder or manslaughter, yet they were all granted bond and released because they weren’t considered ‘flight risks.’ Meanwhile, I sat in the gallery alongside our justice-impacted members—some in tears—deeply feeling the weight of these decisions. Frustrated and outraged, people took to the hallways, raising their voices in unison to remind the court: ‘No justice, no peace!'”
Citizen Action of New York stands with the family of Robert Brooks and all those impacted by state-sanctioned violence, calling for real and lasting change so that no more lives are lost to the cruelty of this broken system. Robert Brooks’ life mattered and it is our duty to ensure that his death is not just another name added to the long and shameful list of those who have suffered and died within a system that was never meant to serve them.
We demand that these charges lead to convictions with sentences that reflect the severity of this crime. Too often, law enforcement and correctional officers escape true consequences for their actions, protected by a system designed to shield them from accountability. That cannot happen here.