Gulf Coast Discussion Panels to Focus on Violence Against Prisoners in Mississippi Jails

Mon, 10/21/2019 - 02:06pm | By: David Tisdale

“Violence Against Prisoners in Mississippi Jails” is the topic of upcoming discussion panels on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Oct. 24 and Oct. 30. These panels are sponsored by The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) 2019-2020 Interdisciplinary Investigations, an initiative of the USM School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development.

These free events are open to the public.

According to Dr. Douglas Bristol, associate professor of history at the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, the goal of the panels is to start a community dialogue about the topic, and share information about an interdisciplinary studies course that Dr. Bristol and Vincenzo Mistretta, assistant professor of film studies, will teach in the spring 2020 semester titled “Making Social Justice Documentaries.”

Information about the two panel discussions is as follows:

*Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Liberal Arts Building, room 103, USM Hattiesburg campus: This panel will be moderated by Dr. Cheryl Jenkins, associate professor of mass communication and associate director of Black Studies at USM. Panelists will include Dr. Wes Johnson and Dr. Alan Thompson in the School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security, Dr. Chris Campbell, professor of mass communication, along with Mistretta and Dr. Bristol.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Biloxi Visitors Center
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Deanne Stephens, professor of history at USM. Panelists include Robin Fitzgerald, Sun-Herald; James Crowell, president, Biloxi NAACP; Michael Crosby, Esq., attorney representing families of abused prisoners; and USM professor Dr. Mike Wiggington of the USM School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security, along with Mistretta and Dr. Bristol.  A reception will follow the panel discussion. 

For more information about these events, contact Dr. Bristol at 228.214.3247 or email douglas.bristolFREEMississippi.