MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Senator(s) Lee

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-25-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF TO APPOINT JAILERS AND HAVE SUCH JAILERS ATTEND APPROPRIATE COURSES IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT ATTENDANCE AT SUCH COURSES SHALL BE PAID FOR BY THE COUNTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 19-25-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-25-71. The sheriff shall be the jailer of his county * * *. The sheriff shall keep in the jail * * * separate rooms for the sexes and shall not permit any communication between a male and a female prisoner unless they be married. The sheriff, as jailer, shall provide daily wholesome and sufficient food and drink, heat and lights when necessary and proper, and sufficient and clean bedding for all prisoners in his custody committed to the jail, either before or after conviction. Any prisoner may, if he thinks fit, supply himself with meat and drink and bedding, but the same shall pass through the hands of the sheriff, as jailer, to the prisoner.

The sheriff may in the performance of his duties as jailer employ a sufficient number of jailers to have charge of prisoners in the jail. Each jailer shall, at the expenses of the county, attend and successfully complete an appropriate curriculum (as determined by the sheriff) in the corrections field within one (1) year from the date of his appointment, excluding those who have previously served as certified law enforcement officers or have previously completed a course of training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer's Training Academy or other academies whose curriculum has been previously approved by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. The minimum training required under this paragraph shall not exceed a maximum of two (2) weeks in duration. Each jailer shall thereafter, on a periodic and continuing basis (as determined by the sheriff), attend additional advanced courses in corrections management so that he will be properly informed and trained in modern, technical advances in the corrections field.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 1998.