Contact:
Rabiah Burks, 202-822-6700
rburks@famm.org

FAMM Calls for Federal Investigation of Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman

The national criminal justice org says extremely unsafe conditions, violence, weapons, and understaffing at the maximum security prison may violate the Constitution.

PARCHMAN, Miss. – Today, FAMM sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division urging an investigation of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman for possible constitutional violations due to unsafe conditions. FAMM has received letters and photos from people incarcerated at Parchman that depict an extremely unsafe environment, marked by violence, weapons, and understaffing.

“This is a national disgrace,” said FAMM President Kevin Ring. “We don’t know the full picture, but what we know from the letters and photos we have received is that Parchman’s well-chronicled problems have gotten worse and need to be investigated.

“Parchman is not alone. Despite all of the nice-sounding talk about second chances and redemption, too many incarcerated people are being warehoused in dangerous and unsafe conditions,” Ring said.

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies in 6 states and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

###

FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.

FAMM.org | www.facebook.com/FAMMFoundation | @FAMMFoundation

1100 H Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 20005 | 202-822-6700