Lockdown Returns To Parchman

PRESS RELEASE

JACKSON – Several serious incidents, within 72 hours of a lockdown of Parchman’s Unit 29 being lifted, have led prison officials to reinstate restrictions while investigations are ongoing.

A visitor attempted to introduce contraband; a staff member was assaulted; an offender suffered a gang-related assault; contraband was found twice on the same offender; and security cameras were tampered with.

“It appears that the collective mindset of inmates at Unit 29 is that they do not appreciate having privileges,” Commissioner Marshall Fisher said. “Assaults on my staff are unacceptable. Contraband items continue to be recovered. We don’t know if these acts over three days are isolated, or if the inmates are working together. One of the inmates involved in these incidents reportedly also has threatened staff.”

Visitation, commissary and telephone privileges are suspended during a lockdown.

Unit 29 at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman has more than 1,500 inmates.