On January 23, 2026, the County Court of Hinds County, Miss. issued an order of civil contempt against the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a case filed on behalf of PBA member Mary Hoyt.  The order stated that MDOC had seven days to pay a total of $64,373.  This amount includes the member’s full judgment of $52,948 plus sanctions of $11,425 which would be returned to PBA as partial reimbursement of attorney fees expended since the initial judgment.  If MDOC chose not to pay, the court would issue an order compelling MDOC to show cause as to why it had failed to comply, and its Commissioner, Burl Cain, would face potential incarceration.  Within three days of the order, the department was in contact with PBA attorneys indicating that payment would be forthcoming quickly.  On January 28, 2026, payment in full was received from MDOC.

This case was filed by PBA attorney Jeffery Reynolds in 2022 for breach of contract in regard to the DOC’s failure to pay overtime appropriately to Hoyt.  In April 2025, the court granted Hoyt’s motion for summary judgment and awarded Hoyt $52,948, the full amount she was entitled to under law.  MDOC appealed but failed to adhere to required appellate deadlines.  In September 2025, the court dismissed MDOC’s appeal for failure to prosecute.  Final appeal deadlines for MDOC passed in October with no action.  In December, MDOC ignored a deposition subpoena for judgment debtor exam. Reynolds then filed a motion for contempt and requested attorney fees for the time expended since the judgment.

These highly unusual developments are indicative of the level of commitment PBA has in regard to obtaining justice for our members.

Regarding the positive resolution of her case, Hoyt commented, “I am incredibly grateful for the SSPBA and the attorneys who stood by me. Their support meant everything during a difficult time, and the successful outcome wouldn’t have been possible without them.”