House Bill 1425

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-3-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SPECIFY THE TYPES OF ITEMS THAT THE COUNTY SHERIFF MAY EXPEND, FOR THE BENEFIT OF INMATES AND STAFF OF A COUNTY JAIL, FROM THE INMATE CANTEEN FUND; TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SHERIFF PURCHASING PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS FOR INMATES WITH MONIES FROM THE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 19-3-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-3-81. (1) (a) The board of supervisors of any county is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to allow the sheriff of such county to operate a facility or facilities to be known as an inmate canteen facility or facilities, the purpose of which is to make available certain goods and other items of value for purchase by inmates confined in the county jail of such county, employees of the county jail and persons visiting inmates or employees. The sheriff of such county shall promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of such a facility.

(b) If the board of supervisors of any county authorizes the sheriff of such county to operate such a facility or facilities as provided in subsection (1) of this section, any funds which may be derived from the operation of an inmate canteen facility or facilities shall be deposited into a special fund in the county treasury to be designated as the "Inmate Canteen Fund." Any monies in the special fund may be expended solely by the sheriff of the county for any educational related expenses * * * for inmates, for any inmate uniforms, inmate recreational equipment, gardening supplies or equipment for inmate gardens, medical supplies and equipment for the jail, bedding supplies for the jail, hygiene supplies for inmates, internet services for the jail, televisions, television mounting systems, DVD players, cable television services, satellite television services for inmate areas, computer/printer equipment used in the jail by inmates and/or employees, construction of buildings for inmate related use, construction of inmate recreational areas, security camera systems and related equipment for the inmate areas, sheriff's department, courtrooms, and any other area in or around where inmates are housed or detained, laundry equipment and food preparation equipment for use in the jail, any training/educational classes for sheriff's department employees, uniforms for sheriff's departmental employees, the purchase of any equipment for use by the sheriff's department employees including, but not limited to, duty gear, bullet proof vest, stab resistant vest, weapons, less-lethal weapons, cameras, restraints, flashlights, communication equipment and vehicles used to transport inmates, vehicles used by the jail staff to transport inmate related supplies and equipment. Funds also may be expended for the maintenance, repairs and service of the equipment purchased by the sheriff of the county.

(2) In lieu of the authority to operate an inmate canteen facility under subsection (1) of this section, the board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may authorize the sheriff to contract with a private company for the provision of commissary services to inmates of the county jail. Money collected from or on behalf of an inmate for the purchase of commissary items shall be deposited to the credit of the inmate into a special fund in the county treasury to be designated as the "Inmate Commissary Trust Fund." Money in the special fund may be expended upon requisition by the sheriff for the purchase and delivery of prepackaged items from the company with which the sheriff has contracted. The sheriff shall adopt rules and regulations for the letting of contracts for commissary services, the collection and distribution of commissary items to inmates, and the items that inmates may purchase through commissary services contracts.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.