Scrutiny grows on New York prison emergency teams after fatal beating of inmate

The fatal beating of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility has intensified scrutiny on the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). Body-camera footage shows officers from CERT Team 20 attacking Brooks while he was handcuffed. He died the following day. Investigations by a special prosecutor and the FBI are underway. Governor Kathy Hochul has initiated termination proceedings against 14 staff members involved. Multiple lawsuits allege abuse by CERT officers, including beatings and waterboarding, affecting over 90 inmates. The state Department of Corrections claims the actions seen in the video do not reflect CERT training. They emphasize that CERT teams are meant to handle high-risk situations, but past reports have documented ongoing abuse claims against prison staff.