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Messiah Nantwi, 22, died at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy on Saturday, March 1, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) told Daily Voice.
While an official cause of death had not been released as of Wednesday, March 5, an inmate at the facility told Albany station WRGB that Nantwi was severely beaten by CERT (Correctional Emergency Response Team).
“There was a sergeant there who turned his back so the body camera would not catch it, and there was six, roughly six, National Guards, like keeping watch, being the stakeout outside of the room,” the inmate, who asked to remain anonymous, told the outlet.
“The roommate, Messiah's bunkee, was forced to sit in the room, was told several times to turn his head while they mashed his face...when they got done beating him, they made the roommate clean up the blood with a mop, and that.”
The reporting aligned with what other inmates told The New York Times, that the young man was brutally beaten by corrections officers.
Thomas Mailey, a prisons spokesman, declined to comment on the allegations in a statement to Daily Voice, but Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that at her direction, 15 prisons employees were placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
“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,” Hochul said. “The people of New York extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Nantwi's family and loved ones.”
Hochul went on to say that the incident is a reminder of the need for systemic change within the correctional system.
“Beginning with the policies I implemented following the murder of Robert Brooks, such as mandating the use of body-worn cameras, expanding whistleblower hotlines and bringing in outside experts for a systemwide culture review,” she said.
Nantwi had been in custody since May 2024 and was serving a five-year sentence following a conviction for criminal possession of a weapon, according to state records.
His death is being investigated by New York State Police, DOCCS’ Office of Special Investigation, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
The alleged killing came just days after several former corrections officers were charged with murder and manslaughter following the on-camera beating death of inmate Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility, located directly across the street, in December 2024.
News of another reported beating death at the hands of prison employees sparked a scathing response from the nonprofit HALT Solitary Campaign:
“How many more incarcerated people must be killed or left to die before our state’s elected leaders recognize that the real problem lies with the racist system of incarceration and the prison guards, who for generations have relied on the legacy of slavery for their livelihoods?” the organization’s co-director, Jerome Wright, said in a statement.
“Even after some important reforms, mass incarceration remains a jobs program for upstate communities at the expense of the liberty and lives of Black, brown, and poor New Yorkers. Our hearts go out to all who loved this young individual and must be devastated right now. This lynching cannot go unanswered. Incarcerated people’s lives must be protected.”
Wright called on state lawmakers to “fundamentally transform” the prison system by passing an inmate bill of rights and sentencing reform legislation, among other measures.
“If there’s a question of safety in New York’s prisons, this lynching proves it is incarcerated people who are not safe,” Wright said.
Additional details about Nantwi’s life were not immediately available. Loved ones are encouraged to share a statement, funeral details, and/or photos by emailing mmashburn@dailyvoice.com.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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