In a federal lawsuit, the family of the inmate beaten by correction officers is alleging it happened because of “tolerance of staff violence” against incarcerated people.

NewsChannel 13 has obtained a copy of the lawsuit filed by the family of Robert Brooks against 17 employees at Marcy Correctional Facility.

It argues Brooks did nothing to justify the use of force against him.

The lawsuit says, “Robert’s killing extends beyond the Marcy staff who were present…his killers did not act in a vacuum.”

As NewsChannel 13 has been reporting, 17 employees at the prison have either been suspended without pay, or have resigned since Brooks’ death on December 10.