In his first months of being governor, Reeves, the former lieutenant- governor, declared in his January State of the State speech that he plans to close Unit 29. This was the main site of violence which overtook the state Department of Corrections in January and December, leading to multiple prisoner deaths. Reeves stated Wednesday that 50 prisoners were transferred during a news conference held at the Sillers Building, Jackson. The inmates will be moved to the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility which is located five miles from Parchman, in the Delta. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is helping with the transfer. He said that it was a time-consuming process. During the first round, he said that cell phones, weapons, and marijuana were all confiscated. More than 600 prisoners will be transferred to the private prison. After that, Unit 29’s remaining inmates will be on death row, along with a small group of inmates serving support services to the Parchman state penitentiary. Phil Bryant signed an executive order to transfer about 375 prisoners from Unit 29 to Tallahatchie County during his final days as governor. He said that this was to seperate some of those involved in violence. CoreCivic of Nashville, which is the owner of Tallahatchie County’s prison, was offered a $65 per day price. Transfers under the Reeves administration will incur a new $62.50 per inmate price. Editor’s Note: Since December 2001, Charles Overby, a Mississippi Today board member and donor has been a CoreCivic board member. It was believed at the time that a state law had limited the amount that could be paid to the private firm at $49 per day. This led to the emergency order. Some legislators were concerned about the Bryant administration’s contract with the private company. The Reeves administration maintains that the $49 per-day cap is an average rate for all inmates, and that Tallahatchie County residents at highest risk are allowed to be moved at a higher cost per day. Reeves will still be able to lift the emergency order. Reeves stated that justice must be the focus of all Mississippians. Reeves stated that while we have not forgotten this during our efforts to restore order and it will continue to be an ongoing effort throughout the time we are in office.” Reeves described the move as a temporary solution and said that he is looking at reopening Walnut Grove, Leake County in central Mississippi, for a permanent fix. Walnut Grove was originally an adult prison. However, a court discovered a pattern in sexual and physical abuse against the children who were housed there. Federal Judge Michael J. Sullivan ordered the closure of Walnut Grove after finding that it was a prison with a high level of abuse, violence, and poor management. The state is currently assessing the cost of reopening the prison as a result of a bill in the legislative process. Walnut Grove prison and Tallahatchie prison both have individual cells that can house one or two prisoners. This gives them more control than Unit 29 which has what are known as “open bays”, which allow inmates to roam freely at all times. Reeves administration indicated that it may request an increase in funding for Department of Corrections during this legislative session. Reeves stated Wednesday that he believes that his administration’s scrutiny will lead to financial savings that can then be used for “just purpose,” including additional pay for corrections staff. In recent days, there has been discussion in the Legislature about the need for more parole officers and to decrease the prison population of around 19,000. Reeves stated that there are many people currently in prison who do not have to be there. The conversation revolved around changing the state’s stale criminal laws that have led to long sentences for nonviolent criminals. Only Oklahoma and Louisiana have higher prison populations per capita that Mississippi.