Investigation underway into fatal fight at CCRCF

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – One inmate has died, while two others were injured after a fight broke out at the Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility.

As trustees helped unload a food delivery truck at the Chickasaw County Correctional Facility, investigators were interviewing inmates in the MDOC pod where the fatal stabbing occurred.

“That pod had over 50 in that pod, a lot of interviews that has to take place,” said Sheriff James Meyers.

Gregory Emary, 26, was serving a 15-year sentence for burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. Emary was one of at least three inmates involved in the fight.

Sheriff Jim Meyers said operating a jail has many challenges.

“They have 24 hours a day to sit and try to figure out how to get stuff in and out of the facility, we catch stuff all the time but all they have to have is one time that something does get in,” said Meyers.

There are security cameras inside all of the jail pods but Sheriff Meyers said it is hard to see on the video who was involved because lights had been turned out for the evening.

The sheriff also pointed out there are special challenges when it comes to investigating a crime that happens inside of a jail.

“Somebody saw something. I’ve been doing this a long time and anytime you have an incident involving an inmate, a lot of times it’s hard to get them to come forward, no matter where they’re at, they’re still incarcerated, and sometimes it’s hard to get cooperation,” said Sheriff Meyers.

The Chickasaw County facility was on a state-mandated lockdown after inmates at two other Mississippi prisons were killed in fights this week.

Sheriff Meyers said investigators are trying to determine if the incident is related to the others.

No correction officers were injured in the fight.

Meyers pointed out there are frequent, unannounced searches of jail pods to make sure contraband is not in the facility.