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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.
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