New York State correctional officers remain on strike, as Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered state troopers and the National Guard to intervene.
Meanwhile, inside Woodbourne Correctional Facility, inmate Atiq Weston, serving 15 years for manslaughter and robbery, shared his perspective with Radio Catskill.
Weston claims some officers are overly aggressive and violating Correction Law Section 137, which ensures humane treatment, medical care, and limits on solitary confinement. “They’ve been violating this law for years,” Weston said. “Now they want to suspend it to avoid consequences.”
He also described experiencing physical abuse. “I was beaten while in handcuffs at Upstate Correctional Facility,” he stated. “If it weren’t for body cameras, cases like Robert Brooks, who was beaten to death, would go unnoticed.”
Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old incarcerated man, died in custody at Marcy Correctional Facility after being beaten by officers while restrained. His case gained attention after surveillance footage contradicted the official reports, leading to indictments against multiple correctional officers.
Weston argues that despite concerns raised by correctional officers about safety and staffing, the National Guard’s presence has led to improved conditions. “They’re treating us like human beings,” he said. “It’s dignified, professional, and there’s more respect.”
However, Weston questions the long-term solution. “The National Guard is trained for counterterrorism, not babysitting prisoners,” he remarked. “They need to find a better way to staff these prisons while enforcing the law fairly.”
I wonder if it ever crossed the interviewer’s mind that the person being interviewed, who is being held against his will by court order for killing a person and stealing from them, might be spiteful and unhappy with his living conditions. Can anyone show me any article or interview anywhere in the world where convicted fellons doing time in prison were happy or even satisfied with their living conditions?
No but what he’s say is very truthful. I know I had a son in there and witnessed beating and was also threaten . Had things I had purchased for him and was not allowed to have it. It was waved in front of him and he was told too bad you’re not getting it. So the inmate that was interviewed it’s telling the truth. Guards do not need to attack inmates the way they do. Most of the guards feel they are gods and they have all this power. If you look back we treated slaves the same way where is this right inhumane. I understand criminals should not have certain privileges but they don’t deserve to be mistreated or threatened or threaten their family. There needs to be a major change on prison guards. I agreed the prisons are overcrowded and they’re understaffed I agree with all that. And I agree governor holko need to step to the plate and acknowledge these things. But I also agree guards need to be reached train and not use physical abuse unless it’s very very necessary.
I was in prison for 33 years. My last prison was Attica. And I can honestly say that I did my best bid there in C block. Why? Because there was respect. The guards knew full well what could happen to them and even their families if they crossed the line with the wrong prisoner. There were assholes on both sides ,granted. But over all I did a good bid there. I never encountered any problems. The time I did in my 33 years was not as difficult as people make it seem. It really depends on the individual and the nature of their crime and intelligence and common sense.
The only issues I had were with the IG rats and their jealousy that resulted in me going to SHU. One thing a prisoner needs to learn is that most guards can be bought. And if you find the right one. You can have them in your pocket.
I wonder when it became normal to interview men who kill and steal from people and feel that there is any credibility to anything that comes out of his mouth. I also wonder when it became acceptable to masterbate in academic classrooms in front of their peers while staring at the teacher. Now, if the cum lands on the teacher as they passed by unaware, the inmate receives 15 days in the SHU. I guess this is where we are at. Yes, many are human and are working on themselves, however, many are animals that will look for any opportunity to rape, beat, slash, and flat out murder COs and staff. Please consider the source of information.
Sincerely,
Prison teacher 18 years
Just because they are there does not give any CO’s the right to abuse these ppl. They took an oath. You don’t like the job or the people don’t work in a prison! We are not the judge the jury or the executioner
Why are you interviewing a prison Mope and not the folks who are asigned to their custody and care?? If it was nice everyone would want to stay there. New York WOKE laws have placed prison staff in a dangerous situation and if your station is publically funded you should answer to someone. Your lack of not getting information from a member of the prison staff is wrong. Apparently you folks are as WOKE as New York State laws that don’t protect there own people.
I was in prison for many years. I have seen a lot of abuse in prison by corrections officer blatantly breaking the law and brutally assaulting inmates in such groups called goon squads. But on the flip side I have seen respectful men and woman that were doing their jobs as absolute professionals that would not over step the line. Sadly over the years I wished to see more of them. I feel if cameras were put in all prisons and having footage reviewed by an outside agency would eliminate a lot of grievances on both sides.
I am a former inmate and yes Mr talbot is correct there is limited cameras in the halls and on the tears and none in the dorms body cameras is good yes they do they are corrupt all the way to the sgts to lieutenants yes there are excellent cos who don’t do what the others do I seen cos take inmates personal belongings in tvs radios fans and re sell them for cigarettes etc….
I am a former inmate and reading this article the inmate stated is not lies it is actual true story’s I was in arthurkill in 2010 and while I was there I was assigned to control unit b janitorial duties around the facility the control officer J ragallis if I moved to another location you receive a ticket of out of place I asked the co for a pass to get a drink of water needless to say didn’t end well the co got raged and told me to get on the wall in pat frisk position I complied heard the co tell the other 3 officers there were clear he proceeded to punch me in my mouth causing my mouth to bleed and loose a tooth I was placed in handcuffs as they continued to kick me and assault me while their Sgt stood by and watched they then escorted me to the shu where other cos joined in in the 2nd assault I wrote letters to family that they was throwing in the garbage and never made it home I had to figure out the cos that were not involved and finally 2 letters reached my family i went to my disiploneary hearing and the lieutenant was corrupt they proceeded to give me 90 days in the shu the co wrote up that he believed i was in possessition of contraband and that would have to be entered in evidence and was never produced at my hearing i wasnt in possession of any contra band the inmates get beat on and if your in the facility go ahead and say something your time and stay gets worse as the corrupt cos sgts and lieutenants areball in cohurts together the inmates need to speak up and express the truth expose those for the wrong they do you have good cos and they even will get ficked by the superiors yhe inmates yes you occasionally have a inmate who we consider a buggout mental health who will attack a co but it don’t happen like they keep reporting the cos mess with the inmates talk trash to them and the inmate already has enough stress let along a co who comes along and fucks with them inmates
Isn’t Arthurkill a minimum security facility? How do you get beat up for asking to go get water? All of this sounds completely fabricated, but I can’t tell because 80% of the words are misspelled. If you’re going to chase your dreams of being a fantasy fiction writer, I’d suggest taking a 6th grade English language class first.
A few misspelled words don’t negate this man’s points and experience. My sister was in a prison for over 8 years. Her experiences were similar to many of these. Fortunately she didn’t experience the violence that takes place with men. However, the sanitary conditions and food were still very serious concerns. I saved every letter because she detailed everything that made her feel in danger. She had one cellmate that she only referred to as Satan, before finally getting her own cell. I hope they come to an agreement, because no matter that they did horrible things and such, they are human.
💯 facts well said
Your an ass. I was in Green Correctional Facility in 2015 and I was attacked because the CO didn’t like me. And then the “Goon Squad ” attacked me a second time. Ended up in Albany Medical with 2 broken shoulders, 4 broken ribs, one broken in two different places, and a punctured lung among other injuries. The Warden, Lieutenant, Sargeant, and the other Co’s lied and tried to cover it up.I was a model prisoner and never had any issues with almost all of the other CO’S. Fortunately some of the guards help me to reach my family and let them know what happened to me. In the end my lawyers did a fantastic job in winning my case against everyone involved. So speak what you know about, because you don’t know shit what goes on behind those walls.
I’m sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing.
Penny your very true I am a former inmate and was beat by cos