The Mississippi Five
Meet the Mississippi Five —Lisa Crevitt, Anita Krecic, Loretta Pierre, Evelyn Smith, and Linda Ross—women who were sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They are now between the ages of 59 and 82 years old. Despite their achievements, personal growth, the loss of loved ones outside, and even recantations of key witnesses, they continue to be denied parole irrespective of their actions. The Mississippi Five have collectively been imprisoned for over 175 years and denied parole 47 times. It is time to FREE THE FIVE!
Art by Phan
Loretta Pierre
My name is Loretta Pierre. In 1985, when I was 20 years old and pregnant with my only child, I was charged with homicide. After six trials, I was convicted and sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after serving ten years. My first parole date was in December 1997. I have currently been denied parole fourteen times, more than any other woman in the history of the State of Mississippi. The son I was pregnant with in 1985 is now thirty-eight years old, with three children of his own—grandchildren that I’ve never seen in person. I am a grandparent, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. I’m also a published writer, a college student, organizer, educator, prison abolitionist, and a politicized prisoner. I am still very close to my family, but unfortunately, my mother died on September 19, 2017, while still awaiting my release. I have currently served over thirty-six years. My next scheduled parole hearing is in December 2025. My charge will be 40 years old then, so I am hoping to be released soon. I enjoy swimming, deep sea fishing, biking, concerts, reading, creating art, picnics, beautiful clothes, dancing, and ice cream. My favorite foods are crawfish and shrimp. My favorite artist is Joe Davis.
Art by Phan
Anita Krecic
My name is Anita Krecic. I am a native Ohioan and have been in prison for 37 years. While using drugs, I foolishly became involved with a man who gunned down a state trooper. I was given a life sentence with parole consideration for having been an accomplice. I was broken, desperate, and spiritually dead. But God delivered me, forgave me, and saved me. I am still holding on to my faith that the victim’s family will forgive me for all of the pain and enormous loss they have suffered because of the careless actions of my co-defendant and me. My imprisoned life has reflected one who is remorseful, repentant, and productive. I became a quilter, a computer technician, a paralegal, a Christian mentor, and a librarian. I am currently in a four-year seminary program through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminar. Despite my strong network of family and friends, and regardless of the redemption I have shown and the transformation I have made, Mississippi’s parole board has mercilessly denied my parole ten times. My last set-off of eight years was my longest. My hopes are that Mississippi’s leaders will be able to show mercy. For even the apostle Paul, who was also a murderer, became one of the greatest saints for God.
Art by Phan
Linda Ross
My name is Linda Ross. I am one of the Mississippi Five, who were sentenced for crimes back in the 1980s and have yet to be released. I was 27 years old then and misdiagnosed as being mentally retarded and psychotic. I have overcome many challenges since then by choosing not to accept that evaluation as final. I am now 62 years old and have been refused treatment for Hepatitis C since 2003. I am in need of a double hip replacement as well as shoulder and knee surgery. I have used my prison time wisely and achieved my GED. Currently, I am enrolled at Valley State University and have already accumulated enough credit hours for an Associate’s degree. If granted parole, I would like to live out my senior years with my elderly mother. I believe I have not only transformed my mind but have risen above resentments by using this opportunity to choose forgiveness.
Art by Phan
Lisa Crevitt
My name is Lisa Crevitt and I am incarcerated in the state of Mississippi, where I have been for the past 39 years. I have no disciplinary reports in my file, which seems to serve no purpose—as I have been denied parole 9 times for a total of 34 set-off years. It’s very disheartening to sit in prison your whole adult life, reform yourself, do the right thing—getting no reprimands or negative reports—and yet continuously receive set-offs from the parole board. I was born October 4, 1964 in Vicksburg, MS into a wonderful family. I have a mom, dad, step-mom, step-dad, a brother, two sisters, a daughter, two grandsons, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. I am a cat handler in the animal program with my forever cat, Cosmo. When I am afforded the opportunity to go home, he will go with me. I also help in fostering 25 other cats who are waiting for their forever homes. I am computer literate, and licensed to operate a forklift. Finding employment will not be difficult for me as I am still young enough to work hard. My next parole hearing is scheduled for February 2028.
Art by Phan
Evelyn Smith
My name is Evelyn Smith and 32 years ago I committed a crime that forever changed many lives. It is a hurt and loss that I can never undo. When sentenced to life with parole, I had a tiny glimmer of hope that the judge, and maybe others, believed one day I might be worthy of a second chance. I started on a journey to become a person worthy of one. I have had many jobs, became a leader in my community who mentored younger women, and became a trusted mediator. In proving I was worthy of a second chance, I became a better person. With 30 years served, an almost spotless record, and positive contributions to my community, I believed the parole board would see a worthy person. I thought I had a real chance. When the board set off an 80-year-old for five years in 2022, they sent an unmistakable message: they wanted me to die in prison. I’ve taken accountability for my actions, sought to make reparations by living a life devoted to giving to others. Statistically and realistically, I pose no threat to society. I often ponder what is being accomplished by my continued incarceration.
THE CAMPAIGN
It all started when…
…Loretta Pierre was denied parole in 2022. It was Loretta’s 14th denial, more than any woman in Mississippi history.
She had been a Study and Struggle group host since our beginning in 2020. As we outlined a campaign to support Loretta and fight for her release, other women in Mississippi were facing similar circumstances. That same year, Evelyn Smith, Linda Ross, Lisa Crevitt, and Anita Krecic were all denied parole for the 7th, 9th, and 10th time respectively. Krecic was put off eight years, until 2030. Smith was told to return when she was 85 years-old!
In Fall 2023, we recorded oral history interviews with each of the Mississippi Five. We then partnered with comrades at Strange Deer Press, a Midwestern comic and zine collective, to produce illustrated zines based on our interviews. In the zines, we hoped to document the full lives of the Five, outside their crime of conviction for which they are being tried in perpetuity.
Through our interviews, it quickly became clear that the Mississippi Five campaign started long before it had a name. The Five have been supporting each other for decades. Anita and Loretta were awaiting trial in county jail together in 1987. Through the pain and grief of each parole denial and losses of family members, and the bittersweet joys of birthdays and graduations, the Five have grown alongside one another. “When I got my last set off, we all fell,” Lisa said. “If I could do their time for them, I would,” added Linda. We are honored to join the ongoing struggle to Free the Five.
Features
Writings By the MS5
Stand Strong, Stand Long by Loretta Pierre
“Jails, prisons, regional facilities,
and immigration detention centers
have become the ultimate
examples of human trafficking
and bondage. There are very few
wealthy people in these types of
institutions.”
The Parole Debacle in Mississippi by Anita Krecic
“The parole denial is taken
as a slap in the face,
like punishment for
doing right.”
Based on an oral history interview with Anita Krecic recorded on September 4, 2023.
free the mississippi Five: Anita’s Zine by Ms5 zine team
“Their aim is to
punish you for the crime
over and over again.”
News & Press
Women incarcerated at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)
Prisons Grow in Mississippi as State Officials Cut Parole by Victoria law
“I don’t ever want to give up hope,”
Pierre told Bolts.
“But sometimes hope
can be your worst enemy.”
Woman Sues Mississippi Parole Board for Discrimination and Retaliation by Anthony Accurso
“Krecic was eligible for parole after 10 years.
After all that time, she had never been formally disciplined.
But MPB denied her parole request. And the next one
she made. And the next – a total of nine denials over the next two decades.
After 30 years in prison, she still hasn’t been subject to any disciplinary action…
MPB has a list of reasons it has found to deny her parole.”
Former chairman of the Mississippi Parole Board Steve Pickett in this file photo speaking to lawmakers during a joint hearing of the House Corrections and Judiciary B Committees about the current Mississippi Department of Corrections issues Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (Eric J. Shelton for Mississippi Today)
Is mississippi’s Parole System Broken by Mina Corpus
“The parole grant rate that averaged 62% between 2013 and 2021
fell to 35% in 2022 when Belk and new members joined the Parole Board,
according to data from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.”
Mississippi has the highest Rate of imprisonment in the country.
MISSISSIPPI CARCERAL SYSTEM
INCARCERATION TRENDS IN MISSISSIPPI
Since 1970, the total jail population has increased 704%. In 2015, pretrial detainees constituted 55% of the total jail population in Mississippi.
Since 1980, the number of women in jail has increased 944%, and the number of women in prison has increased 1,081%
In Mississippi, Black people constitute 39% of state residents, but 57% of people in jail and 62% of people in prison.
WHAT IS PAROLE?
Parole is a common earned release opportunity offered in state prison systems across the United States, including Mississippi. Parole provides incarcerated people the opportunity to make the case for their release at a hearing before the Parole Board after serving a portion of their sentence in prison.
The five members of Mississippi’s Parole Board are appointed by the governor. Ultimately, the Parole Board decides whether the incarcerated person will be released to the community or not. People who are granted release at their parole hearing serve the remainder of their sentence on supervision, meaning they report to a parole officer and follow other rules laid out by the Department of Corrections.
Why Parole Matters
Prior to 1994, nearly everyone sentenced to prison in Mississippi was eligible for parole after serving 25% of their sentence or 10 years. In 1995, Mississippi moved to abolish parole and mandate that everyone serve at least 85% of their sentence in prison.
a parole hearing could mean the difference between life and death. studies have found that shorter prison stays do not lead to an increase in crime and that incentives for opportunities like parole release make communities safer.
The who, what, when, where, and why of parole in Mississippi. FWD.us. (n.d.). https://www.fwd.us/news/mississippi-parole-faq/
HOW YOU CAN HELP
JOIN US IN THE Campaign TO FREE THE MISSISSIPPI Five
SIGN The Clemency PETITION
Demand Action: Join our call to demand the immediate release of the Mississippi Five through clemency. We are pursuing all avenues to bring the Five home, including gubernatorial clemency. Your signature can bring them one step closer to home.
MAKE A DONATION
Support the Cause: Contributions to our solidarity fund help fight for the Mississippi Five's release and support broader efforts to build grassroots power in Mississippi. We are raising funds to cover commissary, potential legal fees, and transition support when the Five come home. Your donation makes our work possible.
Write the Five
Build Connection: Writing letters to incarcerated people is one of the best ways to let them know you care. Write the Five using the addresses linked above.
SPREAD THE WORD
Raise Awareness: Share their story on social media. The more people know, the stronger our movement becomes.
Contact Us
Please complete the form below
