Saturday, January 25, 2020

Color of Change: Shut Down Parchman

The Color of Change organization issued the following statement. 
Scott Roberts, Senior Director of Criminal Justice Campaigns for Color Of Change, issued the following statement in response to the worsening conditions at Parchman Prison and Governor Tate Reeves’ proposed “solution”:



Color Of Change is appalled at the lack of urgency around solving the humanitarian crisis in Mississippi’s prison system. Several weeks ago, Color of Change and other criminal justice advocates called on the Mississippi Governor and Department of Corrections to address the deplorable conditions - overcrowding, inadequate heat and water, crumbling walls, and violence - at Parchman Prison. And even as the death toll continued to climb, Mississippi officials did nothing.



Since then, things have only gotten worse. Just this week, at least two more men have died at Parchman Prison, bringing the total number of deaths to nine. The Mississippi Department of Corrections has moved incarcerated men from one failing facility to another, and the men continue to suffer from violence, guard abuse, and limited access to adequate food, water, clothing, and health care. No human being should be subjected to this kind of treatment; the Governor and his entire administration should be ashamed.



Now, Governor Tate Reeves has proposed a series of “solutions” to finally address this crisis, but what he has proposed - more guards, relocating inmates and staff trainings - is simply a band-aid fix. As long as Parchman Prison is up and running, the men housed there will continue to live without dignity and in fear of losing their lives. Parchman has a long history of violating human rights, but in 2020, this is simply unacceptable. That’s why we are still calling for Governor Reeves to: 



·         Move all of the incarcerated men to a humane facility;

·         Ensure that all men have access to food, clean water, suitable sleeping conditions, and adequate health care; 

·         Conduct a full and independent investigation into the murders of five incarcerated men, including any officers or prison personnel who may have been involved; and 

·         Begin a formal process to reduce incarceration in Mississippi and shut down Parchman Prison for good.

If Mississippi officials continue to sit on their hands, then not only are they failing the incarcerated men at Parchman Prison; they are also failing their families, their friends, their neighbors, and other loved ones. The people of Mississippi are watching this crisis unfold and waiting for their representatives to step in and do the right thing. 



Color Of Change is committed to reforming a racist, overly punitive justice system, and we urge our members to sign this petition and help us end mass incarceration nationwide.



About Color Of Change



Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 1.4 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.


Kingfish note: Posted below is the video of the rally yesterday at the Capitol.


Rukia Lumumba: 31:00
Jackson Chief of Staff Safiya Omari: 1:01:00

14 comments:

West Jackson said...

What part of convicted criminals are they not getting. They gave up their rights when they committed crimes against other people's rights. Let them thin the herd, take away all tv, phone, exercise etc., and put their ass to work for food and clothing. I am tired of paying taxes for these piece of shit humans. Yes I am a black democrat and tired of this crap.

Anonymous said...

All they need to do to stop prison violence is to bring back Black Annie-

Anonymous said...

Turn 'em loose and they can live with these do-gooders.

Anonymous said...

You had me @ “they gave up their rights”.

Natural law, which is the theory of law our constitutional law is based upon, says that no man can take away your rights because those rights are ‘God Given’. I suppose what you mean by rights are creature comforts afforded in the civil world. People still have rights incarcerated or not. They can’t be taken away.

Anonymous said...

Send all non-violent inmates back to their respective counties. This should help with the guard shortage. Of course pay counties per day for cost.
Get rid of that freaking commission/committee the Governor implemented. They ain’t gonna do shit!

Anonymous said...

In which alternate universe is 6:41 residing? Felons give up many rights. Rights are lost while incarcerated and some rights are lost for life: they can't vote, keep and bear arms, etc.

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of this "Color of Change " group.

But their opening statement was very inspiring.

" Good morning good people.
Good morning good people.
My name is (unintelligible).
I came down today from Tennessee to raise hell with ya'll "

Such a profound openning statement.
Almost up there with the Gettysburg Address.

Anonymous said...

These people are mostly harmless. They love to hear themselves talk and love to get all the free attention. They have no practical alternatives to anything they want to "shut down". They don't need to be practical just "mad".
However, when such people are mayors or in charge of government itself, that is cause for concern...

Anonymous said...

Expand Parchman and lock them up. Have you been robbed? There are some bad people that will not change. Most have borderline or antisocial personality disorders. For protection of law abiding citizens they should be behind bars. The primary purpose of a government is to protect law abiding citizens. And yes, with every freedom comes a responsibility. When you break the law, you relinquish some of your rights! The woman that fled police in Clinton recently in a stolen vehicle and crashed into a local citizen was out on parole for her 16th felony conviction. She should have been in jail—she and the judge that let her out. She would never have changed. Protect us!

Anonymous said...

In 2020 it is unacceptable that they are still committing crimes. Send their ass to Iraq or Iran. Make them work off their time.

Anonymous said...

Definition of someone who is soft on crime and wants "reform" = a person who has never been a victim.


Anonymous said...

You may not like it, but prisoners have Constitutional rights. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

Why is this a race problem? The recent violence at Parchman penitentiary has been mostly gang initiated. Unless someone has information that the rest of us aren’t privileged to, I’m pretty sure these gangs are predominantly black. The victims of said violence were both black and white. Someone please explain to me how this problem is a racial issue and why once again the finger is being pointed at the evil white man. Are there any white suspects involved in the murders at Parchman? If the conditions are as horrible as they say, aren’t white people suffering too? As I wasted my morning browsing this video I didn’t see white people protesting black people for the violence committed at Parchman. The last several MDOC directors have all been black. Most of the staff there is black. If the inmate was sentenced in Hinds county it was by a black judge. Who exactly are the white people being blamed?

Anonymous said...

9:24 Nobody said they didn't... they just have LESS now.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.