Mississippi’s Hinds County jail is struggling with overcrowding and delays in the justice system, leaving hundreds of people jailed without a trial. At least 60 people have been detained for over three months, with some facing charges that could carry life sentences. The federal receiver overseeing the jail has warned that holding so many people is costly and impeding his ability to fix the problems.
The issues are rooted in the state’s backlog of cases, which has grown since Capitol Police began expanding in 2021. The force has increased its officers from 81 to over 150, but this has led to more arrests, further clogging the system. The county’s legal system is already burdened with a backlog of cases, and the federal receiver, Wendell M. France, is urging the district attorney to address the delays in prosecution.
Detainees face lengthy waits for case files from arresting agencies and reports from an overwhelmed crime lab, which drag out the process even further. The state’s public defender, André de Gruy, notes that reducing the population is crucial to addressing the problems. With over 240 unindicted detainees, including those held for more than three months, the situation is dire.
The Marshall Project – Jackson has reported on the crisis before, citing inhumane conditions and reports of violence within the jail. The federal receiver has warned that holding so many people without a trial puts lives at risk. Experts say that the system’s dysfunction is staggering, and addressing it will require significant reforms.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/dozens-locked-in-hinds-countys-jails-without-an-indictment-some-for-over-a-year