REMARKS
Council Member Brewer discusses prison safety legislation and reforms
1:09:21
ยท
68 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer expresses support for Intro 734 and discusses a legislative package in Albany focused on prison safety and accountability. She highlights the need for reforms in the wake of a recent incident and outlines several proposed changes to the correctional system.
- Brewer mentions bills that would allow firing officers for misconduct and establish an office of correctional ombudsman.
- She emphasizes the need for strengthening inspection capabilities in prisons.
- Brewer calls for a special prosecutor and thanks the father of a victim for prioritizing fair prison management.
Gale A. Brewer
1:09:21
Thank you very much.
1:09:21
I'm supporting intro seven thirty four, prison safety is public safety.
1:09:26
Robert Brooks, transparency and accountability.
1:09:29
It's a legislative package in Albany introduced by state senator Julia Salazar.
1:09:34
And I wanna thank the governor for her strong response to the murder of mister Brooks and her intention to work with the legislature on reforms.
1:09:43
These bills create the framework.
1:09:45
One would authorize the commissioner to fire officers for violence and serious misconduct.
1:09:51
Now, the decision to terminate is made by an outside arbitrator selected by the correction officers union.
1:09:59
Also, another bill would establish the office of correctional ombudsman.
1:10:03
Another bill would strengthen the correctional association of New York.
1:10:07
Currently, staff can't even enter a prison for inspection without giving seventy two hours notice.
1:10:13
I also wanna say this hopefully is a catalyst for change, and I wanna thank mister, Robert Ricks, the father, for making this a priority for, making sure that the prisons are run-in a way that is fair to everybody.
1:10:27
We do need also a special prosecutor.