Overcrowding Will Cost State Dearly

Mississippi lawmakers don't like to be forced to do anything, even if it's the right thing. But they have met their match with prisoners' rights attorney Ron Welch.

Backed by a longstanding federal court order, under Gates vs. Collier, Welch has filed suit to stop overcrowding in Mississippi's jails.

His motion in U.S. District Court in Greenville seeks $19.7 million in fines against the state for contempt by refusing to honor the 1985 court order forcing state inmates out of county jails.

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