Yo Gotti is calling for change in Mississippi state prisons following the recent deaths of inmates and video footage that has surfaced of the inhabitable conditions at one of the prisons. According to TMZ, Gotti has enlisted JAY-Z’s Roc Nation and is demanding that the state’s governor make changes or come face-to-face with a lawsuit.
Roc Nation issued a letter to Governor Phil Bryant on Thursday (Jan. 10) after the deaths of five inmates in three different Mississippi prisons. In the letter, Gotti and Roc Nation stated that they would take legal action if Bryant does not improve the current conditions of the prisons.
Gotti is particularly bothered by the two deaths that occurred at Parchman Farm facility, which is not far from Memphis — where the rapper is from. The rapper said that the prison conditions are “absolutely inhumane and unconstitutional.”
Violence within Mississippi prisons has increased over the last 10 days, resulting in riots and escapes. The outlet has also reported that gangs are said to be running some of the prisons, which are reportedly understaffed and underfunded.
Roc Nation also noted in the letter that inmates are “forced to live in squalor, with rats that crawl over them as they sleep on the floor, having been denied even a mattress for a cot.” They also cited the Constitution, saying that the prison conditions are so bad that it could be considered cruel and unusual punishment, which is a violation of the Eighth Amendment.
A source told TMZ that Bryant has until the weekend to make an improvement with the prisons, or he will be hit with a civil rights lawsuit.
Video footage of the prison conditions began circulating earlier this week, bringing attention to the issue. Families have also expressed concern for the safety of their family members who are currently incarcerated.