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One year ago, our requests for a federal investigation into Parchman prison in MS were granted. We had received enough pictures and videos that raised serious questions about the conditions there. https://reason.com/2020/01/17/justice-department-investigates-appalling-conditions-at-mississippi-prisons/
One argument we made – in May 2019 - was that DOJ had conducted a preliminary investigation of Alabama’s men prisons and found serious constitutional violations. We thought Parchman warranted the same look. https://famm.org/famm-calls-for-federal-investigation-of-mississippi-state-penitentiary-at-parchman/
That investigation is ongoing. Since that time, DOJ and Alabama tried to resolve the state’s prison problems before DOJ filed suit. Alabama says it will fight rather than reform. No wonder people are striking. https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945499789/alabama-vows-to-fervently-defend-justice-department-lawsuit-over-prison-conditio
We saw problems escalate in Arizona’s prisons while the new head of corrections blew off basic requests for information from lawmakers, the press, and families with incarcerated loved ones. https://kjzz.org/content/1643673/reform-group-calls-termination-arizona-department-corrections-director-shinn
Then, DOJ released a report about Lowell, a women’s prison in Florida, and we wondered how many women would need to be sexually assaulted before the state’s leaders acted? https://www.miamiherald.com/article248130155.html
The same should be asked of members of Congress as they have allowed the same behavior at Coleman federal prison in Florida. The brave @LaurenR08132226 knows. https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2020/09/17/no-consequences-after-florida-officers-admit-to-sexually-abusing-inmates-lawsuit-says/
While they’re at it, maybe the feds can answer why they sent a nine-month pregnant mother to prison in the middle of global pandemic, only to watch her give birth while on a ventilator and die w/o ever holding her baby. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/us/coronavirus-inmate-death-andrea-circle-bear.html
Our prisons and jails can't be allowed to operate without any transparency and accountability. We need independent oversight of these institutions for the sake of everyone living and working there, for their families, and for taxpayers. @FAMMFoundation
