Mississippi lawmakers are tackling the state's prison crisis with legislation designed to keep violent criminals off the streets and still foster hope. MPB's Desare Frazier reports.
Senator Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula says he's tried to pass a bill to fight gang activity in the state for two years. Each bill passed the Senate but died in the House. This year he's trying again. Wiggins, the chair of a judiciary committee, updated the bill, creating a legal definition for gangs. The measure goes after leaders--outlawing recruiting or coercing someone to become a member. It also prohibits threats against law enforcement or judges.
"Law enforcement and prosecutors have asked for these tools to address the situation that's going on," said
Wiggins says its crucial the measure pass the legislature because of gang activity in state prisons. Violence, in much of it at Parchman, has led to more than 13 deaths since December. Democratic Senator John Horhn of Jackson opposes the bill.
"Democrats largely felt that the bill was not necessary that there are sufficient laws on the books to address the issue of gangs in Mississippi," said Horhn.
The measure passed. Senators are passing other criminal justice bills including a correctional safety and rehabilitation act. Corrections Chair, Democrat Juan Barnett of Heidelberg says people can go before the parole board after serving one fourth of their sentence. Under certain circumstances offenders serving a life sentence or 60 years old and have served at least ten years are eligible for parole.
"It gives them hope now to where if they could go in and do well then they now have the opportunity to appear before the parole board. It doesn't guarantee them parole but it gives them an opportunity, an option they didn't have before," said Barnett.
Habitual or sex offenders are not eligible for parole under the bill.
