Inmates' Families Protest MDOC

There have been 1 comments posted

Jackson, Miss.

Reporter: Jon Kalahar

Email Address: jkalahar@wlbt.net

Dept. Corrections

A group of protesters picketed outside the Mississippi Department of Corrections Thursday, saying they want Commissioner Chris Epps to do something about alleged abuse against inmates, including denial of medical care and visitation.

The group may not be big but it sure is vocal. Protesters chanted, "We demand an answer, we demand change."

Led by Dr. Leroy Gillam, the group claims the way inmates are treated in Mississippi is appalling. LaShune Jackson's husband is behind bars for a 2001 murder.

"It's nothing you can hide or anything. You been hiding it long enough. It's time you let it out," said Jackson.

Gladys Buster's daughter was sentenced to life in prison for capital murder.

"There's a lot of inmates in there that is violent, and yes, I do fear for my daughter's life," Buster said.

Gillam said he and his group scheduled a meeting with Corrections Commissioner, Christopher Epps for Wednesday, but they were kicked out after only a few minutes.

"Instead of meeting, he tells me my paperwork is not accurate. What paperwork I needed? We were here for a conversation, not paperwork," said Gillam of the Southeastern Christian Association. "We were supposed to tell them what's going on and he said he would look into it."

The Department of Corrections and Epps has another version of what took place.

Epps claims Gillam's group tried to turn the meeting into a circus, even using racist language and threats against the commissioner.

In a statement, Epps said, "The people accompanying Dr. Gillam appeared to have loved ones in prison and I expressed to them that I would be happy to schedule meeting with them individually. None of these individuals have requested a meeting thus far."

So they plan to keeping protesting until they get the answers they want from the Department of Corrections.

Epps said, in 26 years, he has never refused to meet with anyone.

Gillam said he'll be back in a few weeks with more inmate families to continue protesting.

Post