MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education; Penitentiary

By: Representative Holden

AN ACT TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ANNUALLY PROVIDE FIFTH GRADE FIELD TRIPS TO ONE OF THE STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOR STUDENTS ON THE FIELD TRIPS AND TO COOPERATE WITH SCHOOLS IN SCHEDULING THE VISITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 1997-1998 school year, each school district annually shall provide, for all fifth grade classes in the district, a field trip to the State Penitentiary at Parchman, Mississippi, the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility or the South Mississippi Correctional Institution.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Corrections shall develop a program specifically for presentation to the students during their field trip to the correctional facility. The program shall include a tour of the facility and presentations by correctional officers and offenders which focus on the consequences of crime and being convicted of violating the law. The department shall cooperate with the various schools and school districts in scheduling the field trips to the correctional facilities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.