MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Senator(s) Lee

Senate Bill 2334

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-25-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT COUNTY JAILERS MAY ATTEND AND COMPLETE BASIC AND CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS; 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. (1) The sheriff shall be the jailer of his county and, in the performance of his duties as jailer, he shall employ a sufficient number of jailers to have charge of the prisoners in the jail. However, in any county in which there is a jointly owned jail, * * * the jailer, * * * pursuant to Section 47-1-49, shall be the person appointed by the governing authorities of the municipality insofar as municipal prisoners are concerned. The sheriff shall keep in the jail thereof 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, fire 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.

(2) Each person who is appointed by the sheriff to perform jailer duties may attend and complete, within one (1) year from the date of his appointment, a basic course of not more than two (2) weeks in duration in the field of corrections. The course curriculum shall be designed or approved by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training. In addition, not less frequently than annually, each jailer shall attend and complete a continuing education course providing information and training in modern and technical advances in the field of corrections. The continuing education courses shall be conducted at such times, at such places and for such duration as the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training may prescribe. The board of supervisors of the county may, in its discretion, pay the tuition, living and travel expenses incurred by a person in attending and participating in the basic and continuing education courses.

(3) Any person who has served previously as a certified law enforcement officer or who has completed previously a course of training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy or at some other academy or instructional facility whose curriculum has been approved by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training is exempt from the requirements for completing the basic course.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 1999.