/Reeves eyes contraband phones, reopening private prison, tougher guard screening to ‘restore order’ at Parchman

Reeves eyes contraband phones, reopening private prison, tougher guard screening to ‘restore order’ at Parchman

Reeves stated that the changes included a promise of transparency, as well as limiting contraband cellphones and screening correctional officers for gang affiliation. He also said that maintenance work would be performed on facilities. Reeves stated that he does not plan to request more funding for the corrections department. Reeves stated that many of the changes look like common sense. Reeves stated that many of these changes seem like common sense. The new governor’s law and order approach to cleaning up the system is still under pressure from prisoner advocates. Many of them rallied at Capitol Thursday to demand structural changes in how prisoners are sent to jail and the conditions they live in. Reeves did not describe a crisis in the correctional system, but speakers at the rally talked about feces-covered floors, exposed wiring and an increasing death toll. Since Dec. 29, at least 10 people have been killed while in prison. Velesha Williams, a Democratic candidate for governor, stated that if such conditions were found at Mississippi’s animal rescue centers, then the operator would be imprisoned and the facility closed. “Yet, this has been going on for decades in Mississippi.” Reeves visited Parchman earlier that day. At least seven people have died in Parchman since violence began at the facility’s New Year’s Eve. Reeves described Unit 29 as “pretty rough” and also visited Walnut Grove Correctional Facilities, which was closed abruptly in 2016 after civil rights groups sued. The consent decree followed years of violence and corruption allegations. Reeves did not rule out the possibility that Walnut Grove could be reopened to accommodate Parchman prisoners, who are widely recognized as being in serious structural disrepair. Reeves stated that if the state decides to move inmates to Walnut Grove it would likely hire an outside contractor to manage the facility. Walnut Grove was authorized to house prisoners at any level of custody by a 2019 law. The prison was previously operated by Utah-based Management and Training Corp. Reeves stated that MDOC will implement other changes following the appointment of interim commissioner Tommy Taylor. These include the deployment of an agent from Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to Parchman in order to investigate criminal activity within or among prisoners, relocating prisoners throughout the facility and assigning wardens and deputywardens 12-hour shifts. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to MDOC today as part of the Spring Member Drive.