The former warden of Louisiana’s Angola State prison is the Governor’s choice as Mississippi’s new Corrections Director. Governor Tate Reeves says he chose Burl Cain based on the nominee’s success enacting reforms at Angola. The nomination follows months of violence that rocked Mississippi’s prison system and prompted a federal investigation. Cain says he plans to run this state’s prisons based on his experience at Angola. Cain says “We’re gonna really focus on re-entry, and really skills and trade, so when they are released from prison they can get a job.” He would replace former state Rep. Tommy Taylor, who has been acting commissioner since shortly after Reeves became governor in January.
Cain left his position at Angola prison amid accusations of side business dealings, misspent funds and wrongful use of inmate labor. When reporters in Jackson asked about his record, he responded It’s clean. “You’re gonna get investigations. It’s gonna happen. We need that, that’s good," says Cain. "But it was unfounded as far as any wrongdoing and ethics violations or what have you.”
Governor Reeves says he and the search committee knew about the accusations against Cain. After extensive research and a nationwide search, he says “I have absolute full confidence in Burl Cain’s ability to change the culture at the MDOC. Confidence that he will do so in a way that will make all Mississippians proud. I have zero reservations about appointing him to lead the department of corrections.”
Governor Reeves is also nominating Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Sean Tindell of Gulfport as the new public safety commissioner. Tindell was a Republican State Senator from 2012 until 2017, when then-Governor Phil Bryant appointed him to the bench. Tindell says he wants to review the entire department to determine his top priorities.
“I also intend to meet with local law enforcement and prosecutors to hear their concerns and gather their input. And of course an immediate priority of mine will be to work on improving the delays and problems we’ve seen with the issuances of driver licenses through the department.”
The State Senate must confirm both nominees before they take office.
