Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson is requesting a grand jury investigation into the conditions at Parchman.

Thompson sent a letter and copies of complaints to District Attorney Dewayne Richardson of Indianola, asking him to convene or reconvene a grand jury in Sunflower County, to investigate the widespread violence and unsanitary conditions at Parchman.

Thompson said, perhaps the citizens of Sunflower County, who are directly impacted, can determine whether criminal charges should be filed.