FBI and U.S. attorneys acknowledge allegations of criminal activity in Mississippi prisons

In a statement released on Twitter today by the FBI Jackson office, the agency acknowledged allegations of civil-rights deprivations and criminal activity in Mississippi’s prisons.

The allegations are “taken very seriously by our offices,” the brief statement read.

Today, Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin, @NDMSNews U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar & @SDMSNews U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst released a statement regarding the allegations at Mississippi’s prisons. To report federal criminal violations, go to https://t.co/FoBYNdvJd0 pic.twitter.com/SwdeYTur3b

— FBI Jackson (@FBIJackson) January 14, 2020

U.S. Attorneys for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi released the statement along with the FBI Special Agent in Charge.

The statement comes in the wake of a week of rioting and lockdowns in Mississippi’s state-run and private prisons where five men were killed and numerous inmates were wounded. Most of the violence has been attributed to a gang war in addition to a severe shortage of guards.

The Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman remains locked down.