PEF President Wayne Spence released the following statement on Dec. 30, 2024:
“The release of the surveillance footage related to the tragic death of Robert L. Brooks has shaken all who believe in justice, integrity, and safety within New York State’s correctional facilities. As the union representing civilian employees in these facilities, the Public Employees Federation unequivocally condemns the unacceptable actions captured in these videos. Such behavior has no place in our correctional system and runs counter to our values of fairness, professionalism, and humanity.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ family and join the call for justice and a thorough investigation to ensure accountability at all levels.
This is a pivotal moment for all stakeholders in New York State’s correctional system. As an organization, we remain committed to advocating for policies and practices that protect the safety and dignity of all individuals in these facilities-whether employees or incarcerated persons. PEF will continue to push for reforms that address systemic issues and ensure that incidents like this never happen again.
Our commitment is clear: to support our members in creating a safer and more just system for everyone.”