softheart
05-25-2003, 11:18 AM
Epps, judge to discuss ruling---Corrections chief says he wants some
issues clarified
Mississippi's corrections chief says he will challenge several changes
ordered at Parchman's death row when he meets next week with the federal
judge who issued the ruling.
U.S. Magistrate Jerry Davis on Wednesday ordered improvements be made in
10 areas on death row. His ruling came in a lawsuit filed on behalf of the
66 male death-row inmates who say conditions at the prison are inhumane.
Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps said Friday he will meet with Davis on
Tuesday to discuss the ruling. He said he wants Davis to clarify some
issues.
He said cost and security are big concerns for the cash-strapped
Mississippi Department of Corrections.
"You have to be real careful with this, obviously, to make sure we're on
the same wavelength," Epps said. "I'm running a $70 million deficit come
July 1. I'm trying to do everything I can do to decrease that deficit."
Epps said MDOC was in the process of estimating the cost of the changes.
Plaintiffs' attorneys say cost should not be a consideration.
"You cannot invoke cost as a defense when you subject humans to subhuman
confinement," said ACLU National Prisons Project Director Margaret Winter.
Davis' ruling includes a "reasonable and modest amount of relief that will
make sure these really horrible and inhumane conditions don't exist any
longer," she said.
Epps said some of the improvement costs providing sneakers for exercise,
coolers for ice water and fans for cells can come from the inmate welfare
fund. The fund, $632,660 on Friday, comes from rebates from inmates'
telephone calls and their use of the commissary, Epps said.
Epps said he needs clarification from Davis on how to provide a shaded
area for exercise, daily showers for inmates when the heat index rises
above 90 degrees, improved lighting in each cell and separating the
mentally ill from the rest of the condemned inmates.
Epps said some changes would drive up costs and he would have to consider
cuts in other areas, including death row's education and literacy
programs.
"I don't want to come out and say to the teachers, 'Y'all are no longer
employed.' I don't want to say that. First, I want to get clarification,"
Epps said.
He said he will discuss some security issues with Davis.
Davis gave MDOC a deadline of July 7 to report its progress in complying
with the order.
(source: Associated Press)
issues clarified
Mississippi's corrections chief says he will challenge several changes
ordered at Parchman's death row when he meets next week with the federal
judge who issued the ruling.
U.S. Magistrate Jerry Davis on Wednesday ordered improvements be made in
10 areas on death row. His ruling came in a lawsuit filed on behalf of the
66 male death-row inmates who say conditions at the prison are inhumane.
Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps said Friday he will meet with Davis on
Tuesday to discuss the ruling. He said he wants Davis to clarify some
issues.
He said cost and security are big concerns for the cash-strapped
Mississippi Department of Corrections.
"You have to be real careful with this, obviously, to make sure we're on
the same wavelength," Epps said. "I'm running a $70 million deficit come
July 1. I'm trying to do everything I can do to decrease that deficit."
Epps said MDOC was in the process of estimating the cost of the changes.
Plaintiffs' attorneys say cost should not be a consideration.
"You cannot invoke cost as a defense when you subject humans to subhuman
confinement," said ACLU National Prisons Project Director Margaret Winter.
Davis' ruling includes a "reasonable and modest amount of relief that will
make sure these really horrible and inhumane conditions don't exist any
longer," she said.
Epps said some of the improvement costs providing sneakers for exercise,
coolers for ice water and fans for cells can come from the inmate welfare
fund. The fund, $632,660 on Friday, comes from rebates from inmates'
telephone calls and their use of the commissary, Epps said.
Epps said he needs clarification from Davis on how to provide a shaded
area for exercise, daily showers for inmates when the heat index rises
above 90 degrees, improved lighting in each cell and separating the
mentally ill from the rest of the condemned inmates.
Epps said some changes would drive up costs and he would have to consider
cuts in other areas, including death row's education and literacy
programs.
"I don't want to come out and say to the teachers, 'Y'all are no longer
employed.' I don't want to say that. First, I want to get clarification,"
Epps said.
He said he will discuss some security issues with Davis.
Davis gave MDOC a deadline of July 7 to report its progress in complying
with the order.
(source: Associated Press)