New York State Police say they’re investigating the Saturday death of an inmate who was housed at an upstate medium-security prison – reports of which Governor Kathy Hochul called “deeply troubling” on Monday.
Messiah Nantwi, a 22-year-old inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, died at a hospital, state police said Monday. Although authorities have not said what led to or caused the death, The New York Times reported that nine prisoners – seven of whom agreed to use their names – said in interviews the inmate had been brutally beaten by corrections officers at Mid-State.
Fifteen staff members have been placed on leave in connection with the death, Hochul said Tuesday. Eleven were placed on leave initially, according to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
“While the investigation into this incident is ongoing, early reports point to extremely disturbing conduct leading to Mr. Nantwi’s death, and I am committed to accountability for all involved. The people of New York extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Nantwi’s family and loved ones,” Hochul said in a release Tuesday.
Nantwi’s death came nearly three months after state inmate Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old Black man,
