JACKSON, MS – FWD.us Mississippi State Director Alesha Judkins issued the following statement today in response to the recent deaths at Mississippi prison facilities:

“The repeated loss of life of people incarcerated at various Mississippi prison facilities is heartbreaking and should no longer be tolerated. Sadly, these recent, avoidable tragedies, are not the first, as Mississippi has failed to adequately address its incarceration crisis for at least decades.

The use of ineffective long sentences, inhumane conditions, and understaffing the prison system continues to fuel the ongoing crisis. The new administration must prioritize the incarceration crisis by appointing strong departmental leadership and supporting executive and legislative efforts to improve conditions and safely reduce the prison population.”