Mississippi prisoners

Jay-Z sues on behalf of Mississippi prisoners 'in peril

The action claims the men's lives "are in peril" due to "understaffing and neglect" in Mississippi's prisons.

Jay-Z launched the action through Team Roc, the philanthropic division of his entertainment empire Roc Nation.

It comes after five prisoners were killed in attacks in the state's prisons in one week over the New Year.

The lawsuit alleges chronic underfunding and understaffing has resulted in "prisons where violence reigns" and an "unthinkable" spate of deaths.

'Living in squalor'