Jay-Z, Yo Gotti Lawsuit Results In Change

Jay-Z, Yo Gotti Lawsuit Results In Change -DOJ Finds Unconstitutional Conditions At Mississippi Prison

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Yo Gotti, and the social justice division of Roc Nation, filed lawsuits against a Mississippi prison. Resulting in an official investigation. Where conditions were deemed unconstitutional. The United States Justice Department released a report stating “Mississippi routinely violates the constitutional rights of people incarcerated at Parchman.”

The full report found that the Mississippi State Penitentiary (known as Parchman) violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

By failing to provide adequate mental health treatment, to people with serious mental health needs. Failing to take sufficient suicide prevention measures, to protect people at risk of self-harm. Subjecting people to prolonged isolation in solitary confinement in egregious conditions. Placing their physical and mental health at substantial risk of serious harm. Failing to protect incarcerated people from violence at the hands of other incarcerated people.

“My heart goes out to the incarcerated men who have suffered without access to clean water, food, and healthcare. And the families that tragically lost loved ones in the process,” shared Yo Gotti in a provided statement. “I will continue to stand up for the voiceless until they receive [the] justice they deserve. I’m grateful for the U.S. Department of Justice’s thorough report to hold the Mississippi Department of Corrections accountable. For the cruel and inhumane treatment of the incarcerated population.”

The DOJ investigation dates back to February 2020.

The collective filed a lawsuit against the prison over inhumane conditions. In February 2020, a second lawsuit was filed on behalf of imprisoned populations at the same location.

In February 2022, Roc Nation announced it has partnered with A&E Network. To create a docuseries Exposing Parchman exploring the Mississippi correctional system. According to a press release, the four-part program follows the long efforts to reform the Mississippi correctional system. Led by the inmates of Parchman Prison.

Investigations on the conditions at Southern Mississippi Correctional Institution, Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility are ongoing.

Team Roc is pleased to see the Department of Justice recognize the horrific conditions in Mississippi’s prisons. We filed lawsuits in Mississippi to help protect the men living inside the infamous Parchman prison, due to the inhumane conditions,” expressed Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez

“For years, the incarcerated population has been forced to live inside rat-infested conditions. Surviving with a water system contaminated with human feces all with non-existent healthcare resources available to them. Over the past three years, the death toll has been utterly devastating and we hope today’s report brings many families and their loved ones closer toward getting the justice they deserve. We applaud the Department of Justice for their report.”

Read Full DOJ report HERE