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2mo ago

New York Prisons Face Crisis Following Death of 22-Year-Old Inmate

The death of Messiah Nantwi raises concerns about violence in correctional facilities during an ongoing officer strike.

NAPANOCH, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: New York correctional officers and sergeants continue their strike for a second week outside of the Ulster and Eastern Correctional Facilities on February 28, 2025 in Napanoch, New York. The prison workers say they want to roll back the 2022 HALT Act, which has reduced solitary confinement because it caused assaults on them to rise. While it's unclear if the strike has played a role, two more New York inmates have died during an ongoing strike. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has presented a tentative agreement to the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to end the ongoing strike, but many guards say their demands have not been met and they won't show up to work on Saturday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
New York correctional officers and sergeants continue their strike outside of the Coxsackie Correctional Facility in Coxsackie, New York.
FILE - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a press conference, July 31, 2024, in the Bronx borough of New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

Overview

  • Messiah Nantwi, a 22-year-old inmate, died at Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York, with reports suggesting he was beaten by correctional officers.
  • The incident is under investigation by the state attorney general's office and state police, with 15 staff members placed on administrative leave.
  • Nantwi’s death follows the December killing of another inmate, Robert Brooks, by correctional officers at a nearby facility, prompting widespread criticism of systemic violence.
  • A weeks-long illegal strike by correctional officers has disrupted prison operations, including visitation and religious observances, and raised questions about safety for both inmates and staff.
  • Governor Kathy Hochul has called for accountability and reforms, including body cameras and whistleblower protections, while urging striking officers to return to work.