https://eu.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2019/12/31/mississippi-prisons-lockdown-inmate-killed-smci/2782157001/

Mississippi prisons on lockdown: 1 inmate killed, 2 injured at SMCI
Alissa Zhu Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Published 12:47 PM EST Dec 31, 2019

Prisons across Mississippi are under lockdown, the Mississippi Department of Corrections said in a news release Tuesday.

The lockdown comes after a "major disturbance" Sunday at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville, said the release.

One inmate was killed and two others sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, according to MDOC.

The deceased man was identified as Terrandance Dobbins, 40, by MDOC spokeswoman Grace Fisher. Dobbins was serving a life sentence for a homicide in Adams County and eight years for aggravated assault in Sunflower County, she said.

Fisher said Dobbins was not involved with the disturbance, but did not elaborate, citing the pending investigation.

Fisher also declined to provide more details about the nature of the disturbance.

In the release, MDOC said conditions at SMCI are under control as the prison remains on lockdown while the investigation continues.

Two other state prisons, three private prisons and 15 regional jails are locked down "in the interest of safety to the public, staff and inmates," according to MDOC.

While on lockdown inmates' movements are limited, Fisher said, and it can include a ban on visitation.

In October 2018, MDOC had locked down facilities all over the state. At the time, MDOC said it was investigating a "statewide incident."

Normal operations resumed in November 2018 at the prisons, but most of SMCI went back on lockdown in January 2019.

MDOC Commissioner Pelicia Hall said in a statement in late January that visitation and other privileges would be canceled indefinitely at a unit of SMCI because of a staffing shortage.

Fisher said there has been limited movement all year at SMCI and visitation had resumed on Dec. 7 before this most recent lockdown.

Contact Alissa Zhu at azhu@gannett.com. Follow @AlissaZhu on Twitter.
Published 12:47 PM EST Dec 31, 2019