Inmate stabbed to death at Parchman

By Monica Land

PARCHMAN – An inmate serving 14 years for several convictions including simple assault on a police officer was stabbed to death allegedly by a fellow inmate Tuesday afternoon at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

Inmate Kelvin Bowen, 35, was pronounced dead at the prison’s hospital at 1:04 p.m.

Officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) said Bowen was on his way to see a case manager when he was attacked with a sharp instrument in the hallway of Building 29, a maximum security unit, at the facility.

Bowen’s alleged assailant, Inmate Roshund Lews, 31, was identified by prison officials and was later questioned by the department’s Corrections Investigation Division (CID).

“An initial investigation revealed policy and procedure were not followed, specifically in that the assailant was not strip searched properly, and he was not restrained properly,” MDOC Commissioner Christopher Epps said. “We will take the necessary disciplinary action upon completion of our investigation.”

A correctional officer suffered a dislocated left thumb while trying to break up the physical altercation between the two inmates.

The weapon used in the murder was recovered, MDOC officials said.

“What charges will be filed depends on the outcome of the investigation,” CID Director Sean K. Smith said.

Both Bowen and Lewis have been incarcerated multiple times, prison officials said.

Bowen was currently serving three sentences, totaling 14 years, out of two counties. He received one year for simple assault on a police officer in Sunflower County and 13 years for aggravated assault and three years for shooting into a dwelling, both in Chickasaw County.

Lewis is serving two life sentences for murder and armed robbery out of Warren County. He was convicted in September 2006 of killing a man whom he had worked for in a roofing business in Vicksburg.

Since his incarceration, Lewis has received 60 disciplinary actions, including for assaults, some of which involved officers. He also has been disciplined for destroying property, interfering with security, refusing to obey staff, setting fires and possessing contraband.