The Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved funding Monday for a new prosecutor, aiming to alleviate jail overcrowding and expedite case resolution, according to sources. The move came after temporary District Attorney Brad McCullouch requested the additional staff member to address delays in indictments and reduce the number of inmates held on nonviolent charges.
The new prosecutor, appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves in July following the resignation of former District Attorney Jody Owens, will focus on processing cases more quickly and offering alternative resolutions. As of Sunday, the Raymond-based Hinds County Detention Center was over capacity by more than 300 inmates, with a total of 594 beds, according to county data.
McCullouch argued that the extra prosecutor could help speed up indictments and reduce jail populations. The funding will come from the county’s unappropriated surplus, said Lynn Seals, the county administrator, though the exact amount was not disclosed. The county previously allocated pandemic relief funds for other projects, but those did not resolve ongoing staffing issues in the public defender’s office.
Public Defender Gail Wright Lowery has long cited low pay and high turnover as causes of jail overcrowding, noting that indigent defendants often lack legal representation to seek release. The county had previously declined a $350,000 pay raise request for public defenders, citing budget constraints.
McCullouch attended the meeting with a new prosecutor who recently left the public defender’s office, effectively doubling his salary. He stated the position would also target nonviolent offenders and those needing medical services, promising potential savings for the county.
Only District 5 Supervisor Bobby “Bobcat” McGowan opposed the move, questioning whether the county would need to pay for the new prosecutor within the existing budget. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to address jail crowding and case backlogs in Hinds County.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
