This past weekend in Syracuse, New York, an assembly of roughly a hundred individuals was convened within a local church. Among them were the grieving families of Edward Sholtz and Robert Brooks, two victims of a prison system grappling with urgent demands for reform. The congregation was predominantly composed of relatives of inmates and ex-inmates, many of whom also served as speakers, sharing stirring narratives about the system’s impact on their loved ones.
Timothy and Quanzell Scholtz, relatives of Edward Sholtz, told the tale of Edward’s death. On January 5, Edward, a 22-year-old prisoner from Syracuse, passed away at Wynn Hospital in Utica. The young inmate had been brought to the hospital on December 17 following a serious injury incurred at the Mid-State Correctional Facility, one of the state’s penal institutions situated in Oneida County.
Reminiscing about Robert Brooks, Eileen Graham, his cousin, recounted Robert’s tragic end. Robert lost his life on December 9, also at Wynn Hospital, following a violent altercation with corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility. She underscored that the shocking incident was recorded by the officers’ body cameras.
While the event highlighted the unfortunate events leading to Scholtz and Brooks’s premature deaths, it also examined the larger issues afflicting the entire state correctional system. ‘This dialogue encompasses all of us,’ stated Thomas Gant, a once-incarcerated individual who now dedicates his life to assisting others via the Center for Community Alternatives.
The event’s organizers distributed informational pamphlets regarding the Second Look Act, Earned Time Act, and Marvin Mayfield Act. These proposed pieces of legislation are aimed at overhauling the current penal system to exhibit more fairness and humanity. The gathering took place at the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, located at 347 Cortland Avenue in Syracuse, where images of late family members adorned the church’s stage.
Timothy Sholtz, uncle of Edward Sholtz, declared the family’s unwavering determination to uncover truth in their pursuit of justice. ‘We will not rest until we obtain justice,’ he declared in firm resolve. The cause of Edward’s death remains unknown, as state officials have yet to make a public statement.
In the same vein, Eileen Graham represented for Robert Brooks’s family, sharing anecdotes of their shared childhood. She brought a touch of levity with her nostalgic memories of playing in the park with Robert and sharing simple, childhood meals. Her recounting brought forth a ripple of laughter and smiling faces around the room, a brief moment of respite amidst the somber discussion.
Eileen Graham also unveiled her intention to protest by filing exemption on her taxes and dispatching letters to every legislator. ‘We have sought answers, yet none have come. We are finished with waiting,’ she declared resolutely.
Multiple speakers urged Onondaga District Attorney William Fitzpatrick to expedite the advancement of Brooks’s case. Fitzpatrick, having been appointed as a special prosecutor on the case, was the target of appeals for swift action.
Rev. Kevin McCall was one of the voices leading the demand for Fitzpatrick to move forward with urgency. He verbalized his support for the justice quest, pointing out that 54 days had lapsed since Brooks’s untimely death. ‘If we’re not delivered justice, we will shut down this city,’ he warned.
Another preacher, Jerome Wright, co-director of HALT Solitary and NYS Jails Justice Network, joined the chorus calling on Fitzpatrick to proceed with the case swiftly. Furthermore, he implored for the closure of Marcy Correctional Facility, where Brooks had suffered his fatal beating.
Wright also used his address to empower the assembly, underscoring their collective strength as a modest yet determined group. ‘A handful of people can instigate monumental changes,’ he motivated, reminding them of the potential and power they wield.
Remembering Robert Brooks, it was pointed out that he was moved to Marcy prison purportedly for his own safety. Tragically, the prison meant to offer protection became the place where he met his end, in a disastrous beating by guards.