Advocates ask DOJ to investigate Mississippi prisons after five inmates die within 10 days

Advocates are asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Mississippi prisons after five inmate deaths have occurred in 10 days.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and other advocacy groups sent a letter to the department Tuesday warning of more potential deaths if action is not taken, according to the letter obtained by The Associated Press. The groups said prisoners’ civil rights are being violated with “cruel and unusual punishment,” and they have accused the state of not taking steps to improve the prison system.

“The Mississippi prison system is in a state of acute and undeniable crises, with five deaths in just the last ten days, and a history of preventable deaths and injuries stretching back years,” the 18-page complaint said, according to the AP.

“Mississippi has acknowledged the danger presented by severe understaffing and horrific conditions, but has repeatedly failed to take appropriate action.”

The groups says a lack of prison guards is directly related to the chaos. Prison leaders have attempted to raise money to hire approximately 800 additional guards, but lawmakers want to cut funding for state-operated prisons. 

The letter points out that the DOJ launched a federal investigation into Alabama’s prison system when the state had more prison guards per prisoner than Mississippi. The probe ended with the threat of a lawsuit against the state in 2019.

The SPLC says it has obtained statements from prisoners in the South Mississippi Correctional Institution that say prison gangs determine who sleeps where, access to phones and where and when people eat and shower. Anyone who violates the gangs’ rules is faced with a fine, according to the AP.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) on Sunday requested a federal investigation after prisoners were killed by other inmates in three different prisons and several were injured in incidents. The state has reported that four of the deaths were related to gang violence, according to the AP.

The advocacy groups accuse Gov. Phil Bryant (R) and incoming Gov. Tate Reeves (R) of “trying to shift the blame” to the prisoners by emphasizing gang violence. Bryant said Monday he would welcome a federal investigation if the department also looks into criminals and gangs in Jackson.