Federal judge seizes control of Mississippi jail

JACKSON, Miss — A federal judge has seized control of a Mississippi jail after citing “severely deficient” conditions at the facility. “What powers to give the receiver, how long the receivership should last — those are matters that Judge Reeves will figure out.” Reeves wrote in his decision that the facility’s staffing levels are “particularly egregious.” “Persistent shortcomings in staffing and supervision embolden gangs and encourage the prevalent circulation of contraband, including narcotics and weapons,” Reeves wrote. “Jail staff continue to receive inadequate training regarding use of force, such as the use of tasers.” He also wrote that cell doors still do not lock and a lack of lighting in cells makes life “miserable for the detainees who live there and prevents guards from adequately surveilling detainees.” He also said that guards sometimes turn to sleeping instead of manning the cameras in the control room. Reeves’ decision comes months after he agreed to scale back the county’s jail 2016 consent decree with the federal government to address “unconstitutional conditions” at Raymond and two other facilities that comprise the Hinds County jail system.