Program Manager - Center for Advocacy & Learning

SPLC unveils database examining in-custody deaths in Mississippi jails. September 2, 2026 JACKSON, Miss. - The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) released a new database today tracking in-custody deaths in jails across Mississippi. Although the U.S. Department of Justice requires prisons and jails to report data on in-custody deaths, information about these types of deaths is often difficult to find, leaving loved ones of the deceased with limited knowledge of what factors led to these deaths. The SPLC project is designed to help answer open questions about in-custody deaths by making that information readily available to the public. "We want to connect survivors with resources and memorialize those lost behind bars while ensuring transparency and accountability in the criminal legal system," said Emma Douglas, senior staff attorney, SPLC. "Our primary purpose in gathering this information is to shine a light on the deepest recesses of our society as we advocate for improved conditions in jails and prisons." To ensure accuracy of all data and inclusion of all counties, the SPLC filed data requests to county sheriff's offices beginning in May of 2025. While the SPLC has already received data from 58 out of 82 county sheriff's offices, 28 county sheriff's offices have yet to provide information. The data also includes the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's reporting of 148 deaths in jails and prisons from 2019 to 2025, as well as deaths in rural counties, where cases are often overlooked or more difficult to document. During the data-gathering process, the SPLC filed a lawsuit against Rankin and Hinds counties, alleging violations of the state public records act. In the Hinds County case, the SPLC won a default judgment, requiring the sheriff's office to provide death records. This data is reflected in the database; however, the SPLC did find some inconsistencies in the data from the sheriff's office and the Department of Public Safety, confirming the need for reliable data. "Deaths in custody, particularly in jails, should be rare. When they occur, consistent and reliable data is critical to understanding the circumstances of each death and its implications for the operation of the facility," Douglas said. "Simply being involved in the criminal legal system should not be a death sentence." As part of a longer-term effort, the SPLC will continue to investigate systemic issues related to jail conditions to help explain why people are dying in jails across the Deep South and to advocate for policy change. View the current data. About the Southern Poverty Law Center The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.

'Crackdown': Trump team targets leftist orgs over their tax-exempt status. Career criminal Al "Scarface" Capone ran a Prohibition-era syndicate of outlaws in Chicago. He ended up being caught over his tax violations and was sent to prison for 11 years. Now a report confirms that the Trump administration has begun investigating potential tax violations by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and George Soros' leftist Open Society Foundations, which funds multiple far-left and anti-American agendas. The SPLC is the group that essentially runs a hate campaign against conservative and Christian organizations by labeling them "hate" groups alongside perpetrators like the KKK. CAIR is an Islam-promoting organization that has been designated as a terror group by several countries. Now a report in the New York Post explains that its sources have said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the IRS could revoke the tax-free status of the left-wing organizations. They operate now under the beneficent provisions on the tax rules for nonprofits in America. "It is part of a Trump-backed crackdown on 'bogus' charities, and Treasury officials are drawing up a sweeping audit of outfits deemed to be using and abusing Uncle Sam's tax code, the three people briefed on the Treasury Department's internal policy deliberations said," according to the report. Of course such loss of a tax-exempt status could end up bringing about back payments, civil penalties and more. The work follows an executive order from President Donald Trump last year that put a focus on nonprofits being run for a "substantial illegal purpose." Other organizations being reviewed, the report said, include the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, the anti-Amazon Athena Coalition, left-leaning watchdog MediaJustice, and the Strategic Organizing Center alongside its parent union, the SEIU. The Post said one unidentified source confirmed, "There's a lot of internal pressure to get it done, but some people are still moving too slowly at the IRS. That is expected to change very soon." Reactionary lawsuits already are in the works, with a leftist group, Protect Democracy, going to court to claim the Trump administration is weaponizing the tax code. The case claims Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the White House are using the law for a "witch hunt" that violates the First Amendment. The Post reported Treasury officials didn't respond with comment, but, "Bessent confirmed last October on the 'Charlie Kirk Show' that work on compiling the hit list had begun." There are a wide range of possible results, but the Post analyzed the cases and said applying a standard 21% federal corporate tax rate would impose a burden of about $165 million on the three groups for 2024. The report said Open Society puts billions of dollars into non-governmental organizations pushing diversity agendas, climate lawsuits and illegal aliens, agendas such as Black Lives Matter and the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. The SPLC recently was indicted for allegedly taking money from donors to fight white supremacy-type organizations, and then funding those very groups. CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation terror-financing trial. CAIR adamantly denies any ties to illicit foreign funding or terror organizations. Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.

AADM launches Justice Advocate training & Community Defense Mobile Clinic. Bringing advocacy, education, resources, and pathways to justice directly to the community. ATHENS, GA - August 17, 2026 - The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is launching the Community Defense Mobile Clinic, a mobile, community-based initiative that brings advocacy, resources, education, support, and pathways to justice directly to the people. In partnership with Indivisible 10 and the Southern Poverty Law Center, AADM is also recruiting and training volunteers to become Justice Advocates. Join the AADM Community Defense Team. The Mobile Clinic will focus on three areas: Police - Jail - discrimination. Community members will receive assistance with understanding their rights, documenting concerns, navigating court and complaint processes, filing official complaints, and connecting with trusted legal and community resources. Become a Justice Advocate. AADM's three-part training series will prepare volunteers to help community members navigate these systems and pursue accountability. September 19 - Understanding Civil Rights Violations & Court Systems Athens, GA October 17 - Police & Jail Accountability: Know Your Rights Monroe, GA November 21 - Understanding Probation & Reentry Athens, GA December 2026 - AADM Community Defense - Freedom Clinic (LTBA) Athens, GA "You don't have to be a lawyer to make a difference," said Mokah Jasmine Johnson, co-founder of AADM. "With the right training, everyday people can become powerful advocates for their communities." Support the Community Defense Mobile Clinic. Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement need community support to take this work directly into neighborhoods through mobile clinics, volunteer training, education, and outreach. Help Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement bring community defense directly to the people. Become a Justice Advocate. Know your rights. Learn the system. Help your community.