Breaking the Silence: Exposing Abuse at Mid-State Correctional Facility

In July 2016, over 30 corrections officers at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, launched a brutal raid on inmates in the prison’s 4-H dorm. Fueled by false allegations that one of their own had been attacked, the officers stormed in, inflicting severe physical and psychological harm. Inmates were subjected to beatings, racial slurs, and even sexual assaults. The officers made it clear that any attempt to speak out would result in further violence or even death.

One inmate’s letter to his mother, smuggled out under extraordinary circumstances, eventually shed light on this day of terror and sparked a lengthy legal battle. Despite eight years of litigation, the case revealed the systemic failings within the prison system that allowed such abuses to occur and go unpunished.

Abuse and Intimidation Behind Prison Walls

The accounts from Mid-State paint a grim picture. Inmates testified to being ordered face-down on the floor while officers destroyed their belongings, including legal papers and personal items. Two inmates reported being sodomized with objects, an egregious violation of human rights. Guards severed phone and cable lines, preventing inmates from contacting the outside world, and threatened them with death if they revealed what had happened.

“If you tell your family what happened here today, we’ll take you somewhere in this jail and kill you,” one inmate recalled being told. Despite this climate of fear, inmate Raymond Broccoli managed to write a detailed letter to his mother, pleading for legal help.

A False Narrative of Vengeance

The raid was based on a fabricated story that a prison officer, Nicholas Kahl, had been attacked by inmates with a makeshift weapon. Subsequent investigations revealed that Kahl had likely fallen and injured himself—an accident mischaracterized as an assault. Despite this, prison officials perpetuated the false narrative to justify the raid, with the officers’ union even issuing a press release alleging a gang-related attack.

State investigators later determined that the inmates had not attacked Kahl and had, in fact, rushed to his aid after his fall. Nevertheless, the damage was done. The prison leadership’s reliance on this fabricated story provided cover for the violent retaliation carried out by corrections officers.

The “Blue Wall of Silence”

The aftermath of the raid was marked by a coordinated effort to suppress the truth. Officers covered their nametags, making identification nearly impossible, and gave false testimony. Investigators from the New York State Department of Corrections’ Office of Special Investigations (OSI) arrived five weeks after the incident, by which time physical evidence—such as bruises and other injuries—had faded. This delay, coupled with the guards’ refusal to cooperate, stymied efforts to hold anyone accountable.

Judge Anthony Brindisi of the New York Court of Claims ruled that the state owed restitution to 28 current and former inmates for the “pain and humiliation” they suffered. However, none of the officers faced criminal charges or disciplinary action for excessive violence. Most returned to work, and many remain employed at Mid-State today.

The Courage to Speak Out

Despite the overwhelming obstacles, some inmates found ways to share their stories. The smuggled letter from Raymond Broccoli was a pivotal moment. The letter—a heartfelt plea for justice—described the brutality of the raid and the threats of further violence. It reached attorney Edward Sivin, who, along with his law partner Glenn Miller, began building a case against the state.

The Bigger Picture: Systemic Abuse in Prisons

The Mid-State raid is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader pattern of systemic abuse within correctional facilities. The “blue wall of silence”—a culture where officers refuse to report or testify against each other—creates an environment where misconduct can thrive unchecked. Delayed investigations, lack of oversight, and institutional complicity exacerbate the problem, leaving inmates vulnerable to unchecked violence.

For civil rights attorneys, cases like this underscore the urgent need for reform. Advocacy for transparency, accountability, and better oversight is essential to prevent future abuses. The courage of inmates who risk their lives to speak out highlights the importance of legal representation in exposing and addressing these injustices.

Sivin, Miller & Roche LLP: Fighting for Justice

At Sivin, Miller & Roche LLP, we believe that every individual—regardless of their incarceration status—deserves dignity and protection under the law. The Mid-State case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding institutions accountable for systemic abuses. By shedding light on these injustices, we aim to ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and that meaningful change is achieved.

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse in a correctional facility, contact us today. Together, we can fight for justice and work to create a system that upholds the rights of all individuals.