ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The death of Marcy Correctional inmate Robert Brooks has been ruled a homicide by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Brooks family attorney Steve Schwarz.

The news has left a lasting impact on many communities, sparking conversations on prison reform. One of those community conversations happened Tuesday night at a meeting in Rochester.

It was a night filled with heavy hearts and minds. Personal stories were shared amongst the community of those who have allegedly experienced injustice while incarcerated.

“I was afraid of nobody, correctional officers or prisoners,” a participant from the crowd shared. “No one, until he set foot in prison. My heartbeat and everything changed for me, I became a fearful man because I did not know if I was going home.”

The city’s Police Accountability Board and the Urban League of Rochester hosted a community forum called How many more? A call for change, action and accountability. 

“Community members have ideas and we want to hear that,” Urban League of Rochester CEO Dr. Seanelle Hawkins said. “We want to hear from them today. But there needs to be a process for accountability and change. And that's what we hope to give voice to today.”

The event was inspired to create conversation following the death of Brooks.

“I am the mother of two Black sons,” Police Accountability Board Executive Director Dr. Lesli Myers-Small said. “So this could have been me. I could have gotten the phone call that something happened to my son. And the only reason why we know about this is because we saw the footage. Right? This might not have ever come to light.”

Brooks' father, Robert Ricks, was the first to share his own story.

“Had I known the things that were going on inside of that prison, I would have handled my son's incarceration a little bit differently,” Ricks said. “Maybe I would have made one more visit, maybe I would’ve sent him another $50. Because I didn't know and I think that the community needs to know that was the motivating factor in bringing this to fruition.”

Finding the story of Brooks to be one of many, the family’s fight continues in hopes of solution and justice. 

“Being able to expose some of the atrocities that's taken place gives me a feeling of possibilities, of hope. Makes me feel like I'm contributing to the solution,” Ricks said.