In the coming weeks, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors will hear a request for emergency funding for the Hinds County Public Defender's Office. Chief Public Defender Gail Wright Lowery is requesting $350,000 to begin to address drastic pay disparities that have led to attorney turnover and jail overcrowding. This presents a real and exciting opportunity to act.
Your voice counts. Whether you're a concerned citizen, a person impacted by the public defense system, or someone who believes in Mississippi values of fairness and fiscal responsibility, the Board needs to hear from you.
Submit 1-3 sentences in support below and help us show the Board why investing in public defense is essential for our community. Testimonies will be delivered directly to the supervisors ahead of their next work session.
If you'd like to learn more about the issue before answering, check out the following resources: