Corruption, violence, drugs and gangs are 'pervasive' in 3 Mississippi prisons: DOJ

The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) has been under scrutiny for several years due to allegations of corruption, violence, drugs, and gangs within its prisons. In 2018, a federal investigation was launched into the MDOC following reports of widespread abuse and mistreatment of inmates.

The Justice Department's report released on Wednesday found that conditions at three Mississippi prisons - the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, the South Mississippi Correctional Institution, and the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility - violated the U.S. Constitution. The report specifically cited issues related to medical care, mental health treatment, and access to legal representation for inmates.

The investigation found that inmates at these prisons were subjected to excessive use of force by guards, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. In addition, the report found that inmates were denied adequate medical care and mental health treatment, leading to unnecessary suffering and even death. The investigation also found that inmates were not provided with adequate legal representation, making it difficult for them to challenge their convictions or seek redress for abuses they suffered while in prison.

The report recommended a number of changes to improve conditions at the three prisons, including increased oversight and accountability, improved medical care and mental health treatment, and greater access to legal representation for inmates. The Justice Department also called on the MDOC to take immediate action to address the issues identified in the report.

The investigation into the MDOC has been ongoing for several years, with numerous reports of abuse and mistreatment of inmates at the state's prisons. In 2019, a federal judge ordered the release of hundreds of inmates from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman due to concerns about overcrowding and poor conditions. The MDOC has faced criticism from civil rights groups, advocacy organizations, and even some members of its own staff for its failure to address the issues within its prisons.