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.


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