ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT)- An independent review of New York’s prison system is calling for sweeping changes across the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), concluding that many of the challenges facing the agency are systemic rather than isolated to a single facility.
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The nearly 300-page report, conducted by law firm WilmerHale, was commissioned following a series of high-profile events involving the state’s prison system, including the deaths of incarcerated men Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, as well as the illegal correction officer strike that disrupted prison operations across New York in early 2025.
Investigators found a workplace culture where misconduct was at times tolerated, while accountability and oversight were inconsistent.
The report also cites staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, burnout and inconsistent supervision as ongoing challenges affecting prison operations, while emphasizing those issues do not excuse misconduct.
Among its recommendations, the report calls for stronger leadership accountability, expanded staff training, improved oversight of use-of-force incidents, modernized internal investigations and greater transparency throughout the correctional system.
Beyond those recommendations, investigators concluded many of the department’s problems have developed over years and extend beyond any one correctional facility.
The report includes anonymous comments from employees interviewed during the review, with one describing the culture by saying, “It’s just how things have always been done.”
Another employee told investigators, “Nobody wants to be labeled a rat,” describing a reluctance among some staff to report misconduct.
Investigators also found some employees believed misconduct would not always result in discipline, leading reviewers to conclude that meaningful reform will require changes in leadership, accountability, training and oversight—not simply the adoption of new policies.
In a statement released alongside the report, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III thanked WilmerHale and its partner organizations for their work.
“I want to thank WilmerHale and Falcon, Amend, and Chicago Beyond for their thorough and thoughtful assessments of our system. These reports reflect both the important work already underway to strengthen safety, accountability, and professionalism across DOCCS, and the significant work that still lies ahead,” Martuscello said.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to implementing reforms.
“We remain committed to instituting meaningful reforms, implementing the requirements of the Corrections Omnibus Reform Act, and working closely with external partners, service providers, and stakeholders to strengthen transparency, improve operations, and advance safer conditions for everyone in our facilities and communities,” Martuscello said.
The independent review includes dozens of recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability and improving operations throughout New York’s prison system. DOCCS says it has already begun implementing reforms while acknowledging additional work remains ahead.