Advocates press Albany County Legislature for civilian oversight after jail abuse claims

Dozens of residents and advocates used the Albany County Legislature’s Aug. 11 public comment period to demand creation of a civilian oversight review board with subpoena power for the Albany County Correctional Facility, citing reports of beatings, video evidence and a 2019 settlement.

The call for an outside review came from multiple speakers who said they have heard frequent reports of abuse from people inside the jail and from family members. Barbara Rio, a resident who said she had called the legislature in February, referenced a 2019 settlement in which four incarcerated people received $980,000 and asked: “Who is 100% full of crap? It’s not us.” She urged the legislature to “hold them accountable” and to “establish an independent civilian review board with subpoena power.”

Other speakers echoed those demands. Ronnie Mentor of the Freedom of Shackle Coalition said he had shared a video described as showing Marquise Smallwood’s room and accused Sheriff Apple of lying about the allegations. Tom Ellis, a resident of North Pine Ave., told the legislature he is “in full support of efforts by more than 10 organizations urging this legislature to establish a civilian…