- Cliff Johnson
- MacArthur Justice Center
- University of Mississippi School of Law
481 Chucky Mullins Drive,
University,
MS 38677
Our Priorities
Right now, thousands of people are being held in Mississippi county jails.
Most are there because they are too poor to make bail. As a result, they will remain behind bars for months – even years – before trial or release.
For the first time, we have been able to make this information available to the public.
Mississippi Jail RecordsKey Cases
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Brown v. Corinth
Cash Bail
The MacArthur Justice Center, in partnership with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), filed a federal class action lawsuit targeting the City of Corinth, Mississippi for operating a modern-day debtors’ prison, unlawfully jailing poor people for their inability to pay bail and fines. As a result of the settlement, the City will ensure that defendants arrested without a warrant see a judge within 48 hours, will stop jailing defendants who cannot afford to pay a fine or money bail, will release most people on their own recognizance following arrest, and will allow defendants who are unable to pay their fine in full to choose between a $25 monthly payment plan and community service.
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Bell v. City of Jackson
Cash Bail
The City has agreed to give indigent defendants the choice of paying off their fines at the rate of $25 per month or performing community service and receiving credit toward their unpaid fines at the rate of $9 per hour. In addition, Jackson no longer will require people arrested for misdemeanors to post a money...
Featured Media
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Lawsuit: Guards Didn’t Stop Suicide of Inmate Held Too Long
The New York Times October 2, 2019 -
U.S. defends secretive Mississippi ICE raids as local, state officials decry effect on children
The Washington Post August 8, 2019 -
Petty Charges, Princely Profits: But a haven for bail bondsmen is getting less friendly
The Marshall Project July 13, 2018 -
Corinth has settled federal lawsuit accusing city of running a debtor prison
Clarion Ledger April 26, 2018