THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPIJustice Settlement Agreement • June 23rd, 2016
The Justice Department and Hinds County, Mississippi, Hinds County Board of Supervisors and the Hinds County Sheriff have entered into a court-enforceable settlement agreement to reform the Hinds County Detention Center and Work Farm in Raymond, Mississippi, and the Jackson Detention Center in Jackson, Mississippi. The settlement is intended to resolve the allegations in the Justice Department’s findings letter that the jail facilities failed to protect prisoners from violence by other prisoners and from improper use of force by staff ; detained prisoners beyond court-ordered release dates and locked down and otherwise improperly housed prisoners – severely limiting or eliminating access to treatment, education, exercise and visitation. The settlement is the first of its kind to incorporate broader criminal justice system reform through diversion at the front end and reentry to the community after incarceration. The settlement is also unique in that it attacks unlawful enforcement of c
