Mississippi Lawmaker Renews Push for Prison Health Care Reforms
In the wake of reporting by Mississippi Today detailing serious medical failures inside Mississippi prisons, Rep. Becky Currie says she will once again push for prison health care reforms during the upcoming legislative session.
Mississippi Today’s investigation highlighted multiple cases involving incarcerated individuals, including an amputation resulting from a neglected broken bone, untreated hepatitis C, and delayed cancer diagnoses.
Currie, a Republican and chairwoman of the House Corrections Committee, attempted to advance similar reforms during the previous legislative session, but those efforts stalled before becoming law.
Despite last year’s setback, Currie said the recent reporting underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues within the state’s prison health care system. She is expected to reintroduce legislation aimed at improving oversight, accountability, and access to timely medical care for inmates.
Details of the proposed reforms have not yet been released, but the issue is expected to be a focal point of discussion as lawmakers convene for the new session.
