Feds investigate Mississippi prisons after string of deaths

JACKSON, Miss. — The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Mississippi prison system after a string of inmate deaths in the past few months, officials said Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors are looking into conditions at four state prisons after the deaths of at least 15 inmates since late December. The investigation is examining whether state corrections officials are adequately protecting prisoners from physical harm and will look into whether there are adequate health care and suicide prevention services.

http://www.startribune.com/feds-investigate-mississippi-prisons-after-string-of-deaths/567598272/