Memphis rapper Yo Gotti and music mogul Jay-Z filed a lawsuit for more than two dozen Mississippi inmates against the state.
The rappers say they felt the need to act after weeks of unrest within the prisons. At least 5 inmates were killed, including 3 in Parchman, since late December.
The lawsuit claims inmates are being kept in unconstitutional and inhumane conditions.
The sister of one of those killed inmates says she expects more lawsuits to come.
“Until MDOC admits they were at fault for these deaths, admits they were treating inmates inhumanely and fixes the problem, there will forever be lawsuits filed by families. They are done taking this now. This has got public light, and people aren’t gonna let it go,” said Sydney Lester.
Newly-inaugurated Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has yet to respond to the lawsuit.