The Million-Dollar Question

This afternoon is cloudy. There's a scent of rain, and a faint sound of thunder in the distance. Yet I smile and praise Allah because the sun still shines behind dark, thick clouds. I have used most of the day to reflect on my circumstances. I cannot sit and sulk about what has happened to me. It's just not in my nature.

As I continue to recover, I can only think on the medical neglect that has happened to so many others before me. I think about those who are experiencing the horrors of medical neglect at this moment, and the ongoing fight that would prevent other incarcerated citizens from experiencing similar fates in the future.

However, true change can only come through displays of dignity for incarcerated citizens, and transparency and accountability from those charged with our care, custody, and control.

In October of 2025, at the Chicago Beyond National Justice Convening, NYSDOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III spoke of transparency and accountability. He wanted to acknowledge the good and the bad concerning the department. Yet, 2026 has seen the highest number of deaths among incarcerated citizens since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. No transparency, no emails, nor communications from Commissioner Martuscello or his administration have gone out to address the perpetual health crisis that looms behind the walls of many of the prisons he oversees.

I find this disturbing. All the while propagating a message of reform and hope, incarcerated citizens are suffering and dying at record numbers due to medical negligence.

So I ask, is his message of reform and hope really just hype?

While Commissioner Martuscello has been building a public image gallivanting around with hip-hop celebrities behind prison walls touting newly installed rehabilitative programs, incarcerated human beings are being denied the dignity of adequate medical attention. Its unfortunate, because if this insidious problem of medical care is not addressed and fixed, some of these incarcerated human beings will never make it to see a program graduation or the joy of being released back into society.

Commissioner Martuscello, at the Chicago Beyond Convening, you elaborated on the fact that the officers who killed Robert Brooks looked comfortable in what they were doing. And yet, for decades your medical staff has been comfortable in letting people suffer and die through medical negligence. When will you publicly address this issue?

It is frightening to hear on good authority about another impending correctional staff strike this summer. I think about the incarcerated citizens that will not make it to necessary outside medical appointments. How much more will the death toll rise?

In the aftermath of Robert Brooks' death, and during the massive and illegal 22-day strike, Jaifa Collado admitted that the incarcerated population was on its best behavior. So here's the million-dollar question: why are we being punished for it?

Jose "Jay" Rodriguez