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N.Y. Governor to Sign Prison Reform Bill After Beatings and Deaths
The bill mandates near-round-the-clock cameras, requires a decade-long death study, quick footage disclosure to the Attorney General, and extends inmates' lawsuit filing period, officials said.
- On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, signed the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill in Albany, NY, after reaching a deal with the New York State Legislature to boost statewide prison oversight.
- Following deadly assaults at state facilities, the fatal beating of Robert Brooks and killing of Messiah Nantwi, plus wildcat strikes and staffing shortages, pushed lawmakers to act.
- Key changes include 24-hour surveillance in most areas and fixed DOCCS vehicle cameras, revised footage release to the Office of the Attorney General within 72 or 24 hours, and autopsy materials with photos and x-rays, suspending lawsuit limits until three years post-release.
- The law mandates DOCCS to notify next of kin within 48 hours of a death and requires OSI and DOCCS to quarterly report complaints and outcomes, while CANY gains unannounced access and private contact rights.
- Despite supporters' praise, VOCAL‑NY and advocates criticized the bill as watered‑down after negotiations, while Hochul said `I have been clear that there is more to do and I am grateful to the Legislature and the family of Robert Brooks for advocating for these reforms`.
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Gov. Hochul signs prison reform omnibus bill one year after death of inmate Robert Brooks
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill Friday, which seeks to reform prisons across the state. The reforms in the bill include more cameras in prisons, releasing video related to inmate deaths in a timely manner, producing detailed autopsy reports, and increasing the window where inmates can sue […]
·Rochester, United States
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 18%
C 64%
R 18%
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