Six prison guards have been indicted for second-degree murder in the beating death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated person in an upstate prison.

Four other corrections workers were charged with lesser crimes.

"Robert Brooks should be alive today," said Gov. Hochul in a statement. "The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests."

The move comes as prison guards strike at correctional facilities across the state demanding better wages, more staffing and safer working conditions.

Formerly incarcerated people and prison reform groups rallied outside the Manhattan office of Gov. Hochul Thursday calling the prison guard strike an attempt to divert attention away from Brooks murder.

"It's not a wakeup call for us, it's something we've always been complaining about," said Stephen Brathwait, of Brownsville who said he served 31 years in New York prisons. "It's sad when you cant depend on the people that are supposed to protect you."

The group also called for prison reforms and better treatment of people serving time.

“It was horrifying to watch as they beat that man to death," said Anisah Sabur." "Its more horrifying to know that we have rogue officers that fail to realize that we are human beings, we are people, and we do not deserve to be beaten to death for one mistake we’ve made in our lives.”

Hochul deployed National Guard members to prisons where prison guards are striking on Wednesday.

In a statement the governor said "These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities."

Hochul said the strike is illegal.

A judge granted an injunction Wednesday for a restraining order mandating correction officers stop striking.

Brooks father, Robert Ricks, released a statement following the indictment of corrections department staff.

"As I have said before, I truly believe that my son died so that others may live," said Ricks. "The first step towards accountability is obtaining convictions of those who murdered him."