In a bid to support rehabilitation efforts within the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, the hip-hop mogul and philanthropist, has donated a boxing ring to the correctional facility's new sports program. This initiative is a push to address idleness and promote a spirit of camaraderie among the inmates through an emphasis on recreational activities such as boxing, basketball, flag football, and softball.

The program, which aims to help reduce idle time, change attitudes, and greatly boost the productivity level of inmates aiming for rehabilitation, has received high-profile backing with Jay-Z's contribution. "We encourage our inmates to be involved in sports activities as it battles idleness in prison. We have created many different teams to allow them to get out of their dorms and participate in being active," Commissioner Burl Cain said in a statement obtained by WLBT.

The Mississippi Athletic Commission Chairman, Randy Phillips, has reportedly assisted with boxing training and ensuring that the MDOC's safety equipment is up to standard. Medical staff, ringside trainers, judges, referees, and timekeepers are present at the boxing events to ensure the safety and orderliness of the matches. Notably, Marcy Croft, Jay-Z's attorney, has been pivotal in facilitating the donation and took time to witness the program's benefits firsthand.

This move by Jay-Z has come to represent more than just a physical addition to the facility; it offers a chance for inmates to potentially knock to get a sense of purpose and teamwork. The MDOC held its first boxing match last November and has seen a positive impact with families now being able to dine with inmates following boxing matches - a much welcomed reward and motivational factor shared by Action News 5.