Jay-Z & Yo Gotti Drop Lawsuit Against Mississippi Prison

BY Erika Marie 657 Views
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The 59th GRAMMY Awards -  Roaming Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Hip Hop Artists Yo Gotti and Jay-Z during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS)
After the prison made upgrades, Team Roc dropped its lawsuits filed on behalf of 200 inmates.

During the 2020 quarantine, many activists shifted their attention to the prison system. At the time, Jay-Z's social justice initiative Team Roc issued several federal lawsuits against the Mississippi State Penitentiary system in Parchman. Inmates complained of inhumane conditions that were shared online. NBC News reported information about "deprivation of medical care," but that wasn't all. Rat feces, cockroaches, and bird excrement were reportedly in the food being served.

The lawsuits were reportedly filed "on behalf of over 200" inmates. In an update, Jay and Gotti dropped their suits after the prisons received upgrades in the years that followed.

Read More: JAY-Z, Yo Gotti, And Team ROC Push The DOJ To Investigate Prison For Inhumane Conditions

These upgrades include stainless steel showers, working ambulances, and functioning air conditioning and plumbing systems. Additionally, there will be recreational areas available, mold was removed, and access to updated kitchen areas was improved. However, if things go back to how they were, Team Roc could refile.

"We are pleased with the changes made to date and the improvements in the day to day lives of the guys' inside," said attorney Jordan Siev, who works with Team Roc. "But we're also cognizant of the fact that Parchman has had a long history of lawsuits, improvements and then backsliding conditions."

"We're pleased that improvements have been made inside, but we're also not going to take our foot off the gas."

Read More: Team Roc Intensifies Its Pressure On The Kansas City Police In New Open Letter

Yo Gotti also released a statement, saying he is glad changes have been made. However, he believes this speaks to a larger issue.

"We're pleased that Parchman has started to address the cruel and inhumane prison conditions after the Department of Justice's investigation, but we aren't satisfied with short-term improvements," he said.

"The Mississippi Department of Corrections has neglected these torturous living conditions for decades, so we will continue to hold them accountable and ensure they commit to creating long-lasting change that safely protects their incarcerated population."

Read More: Team ROC Announces United Justice Coalition Summer Summit

Meanwhile, the State Department of Corrections legal department promised to continue efforts to maintain these upgrades.

"We have and will continue to make diligent efforts to improve the quality of life for all individuals in the custody of the MDOC and provide them with opportunities to successfully return to their communities. That is our ongoing commitment."

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.