An inmate who escaped Saturday from a Mississippi state penitentiary is still on the run, while a second inmate who escaped with him is back in custody.
The escapes came after a week of violent prison riots across the Magnolia State that left five inmates dead and others injured.
On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he would ask for a federal investigation into the system’s safety and security procedures:
Riots across the Mississippi Department of Corrections facilities began between Christmas and New Year's. Fights between inmates happened at the state pen in Parchman as well as a jail in Chickasaw County.
Dillion Williams, 27, and David May, 42, escaped Saturday from the Parchman jail, but May was captured Sunday morning, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations.
May is serving a life sentence for aggravated assault in Harrison County, while Williams is serving 40 years for aggravated assault and burglary in Marshall County, according to the Clarion Ledger.
On Sunday, outgoing Gov. Phil Bryant said law enforcement officials are working to end the crisis:
The Mississippi Legislature convenes Tuesday at the state Capitol in Jackson, and some lawmakers are already weighing in on the jail crisis, according to WLOX.
“The only way to fix this is money, period,” said state Sen. Joel Carter. “Mississippi is in great financial shape right now; we just have to be responsible about it. The guards are underpaid, and the pay isn’t worth it. They’re only paid $25,000, and money is always an issue.”
On Twitter, Gov.-elect Tate Reeves said much work needs to be done to resolve the crisis:
»MORE: Deadly Mississippi jail riots continue; five dead
The entire state jail system remains under lockdown.
