I was contacted last night by Judy Manning, a representative of Devin Bennett, MS Death Row Inmate. He is currently on a hunger strike, day 12, to protest the conditions at Parchman. Here is an update from Judy…

Devin Bennett #L4820 is currently on a HUNGER STRIKE @ Parchman Prison in Mississipppi. Today is his 12th day of not eating food. He is drinking wter only and trying to stay hydrated. Prison officials are checking his blood pressure and have drawn blood. Devin is doing this because of the inhumane conditions at Unit 29 J @ Parchman in Mississipppi. The roof leaks and water also come up through the floor, there are no screens over the windows to keep spiders, bugs or mosquitoes out, there is no hot water in the cells, no water pressure even in the shower, unsanitary showers, halls and cells, no incentives for good behavior or tier work. The list goes on and on. They are shaking him down every 30 minutes to make sure he doesn’t have ANY food items. Joe Barnes or WLBT spoke with Devin through me this evening and is going to try to get a response from MDOC before airing Devin’s on-air interview. I am going to try to post a petition ASAP. Need your help in passing this along. In the meantime, I need everyone to swamp MDOC with calls and mail. The phone number to Parchman is 662-745-6611. Ext 3401 for Warden Timothy Morris.”