Grant the right to rehabilitation program for Mississippi Death Row offenders

by: Louis Richard 

In 2007, Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections, Mr. Christopher Epps, created a rehabilitation program to curb the violence in Mississippi prisons, specifically in Unit 32 at Parchman. Under the direction of then Superintendent Mr.Emmit Sparkman (now Det. Comm.) The two created the high-risk incentive tier program, and it has proven to be a valuable tool for improving the quality of life for the offenders that have participated, as Mr. Epps stated in a interview. They were able to reduce violence, and ultimately the offender population from 1,000 to 300 high-risk offenders, eventually closing Unit 32 in December 2010. What was failed to mention is that under this program and policy, Death Row offenders are classified to participate, but are being excluded. There are not any differences between DR and state offenders classified as high-risk. They are under the very same guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations. It appears the only difference is that Mr. Epps, and Sparkman are under the impression the men on DR are not worthy of a better quality of life.
 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/720/728/233/grant-the-right-to-rehabilitation-program-for-mississippi-death-row-offenders/