ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York State Assembly held a hearing Wednesday prompted by Richard Matt and David Sweat's escape in June from Clinton Correctional Facility.

Six months after the two convicted killers escaped from the North Country prison, lawmakers pushed for answers at a public hearing on prison oversight.

"The purpose of this hearing is to see and address how we do oversight of correctional system," said Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, D-Manhattan. "Is the oversight effective or are there other potential models that might exist?"

In addition to captivating the country, the three-week manhunt to find Sweat and Matt cost millions of dollars and upended life in New York state's northern reaches.

"Aside from the millions of dollars in cost to the state of New York, it also led to the terrorizing of the community for the people who lived there. Let me be clear: That is simply unacceptable," O'Donnell said.

Life also was upended in the prison itself, inmate advocates said at the hearing. Letters from prisoners claimed guards sought information about the escape, often using violent techniques.

"The letters alleged horrible, brutal interrogation techniques had been used on some of the prisoners - mostly prisoners who had been housed in the honor block," said Karen Murtagh, executive director of Prisoner Legal Services.

The union that represents state prison guards, NYSCOPBA, refused to testify. Instead, the union blasted O'Donnell for what they said was sympathy for inmates and launched a digital ad campaign knocking his New York City residency.

Nevertheless, lawmakers at the hearing stressed that the work prison guards perform in a tough environment should be praised.

"The vast majority of these men and women do their jobs incredibly well every single day of the year under incredibly difficult circumstances," said Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, R-Peru.

Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco also questioned why Matt and Sweat were in the so-called honor block with special privileges, given the murders they committed.

"It seems to me these two guys illustrated good behavior just to get access to these privileges and help with their escape," said Tedisco, R-Clifton Park.

The escape from Clinton Correctional wasn't the only topic dominating the hearing. Jonathan Moore, the attorney for the family of Samuel Harrell testified. Harrell died after he was allegedly beaten by guards at Fishkill Correctional Facility.

"We learned from these inmates that Building 21 maintains a beat up squad. Officers who are called to inflict harm on inmates. One of those guards is nicknamed Captain America," asserted Jonathan Moore, the Harrell family attorney.

Moore said records obtained found the state was aware of the squad since 2005.

Neither corrections officials or the state inspector general testified, citing ongoing investigations.