House Bill 188

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-124, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT OFFENDERS ENROLLED IN THE MISSISSIPPI STATEWIDE INCARCERATED VETERANS PROGRAM FROM CERTAIN REQUIRED UNIFORM DESIGNATIONS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 47-5-124, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

47-5-124. (1) Beginning January 1, 1995, the Department of Corrections shall phase in the following uniform designations for all offenders housed by the Department of Corrections, except those enrolled in the Mississippi Statewide Incarcerated Veterans Program: Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUM-V):

(a) Maximum security offenders - Red and white horizontal stripes which are three (3) inches wide;

(b) Medium security offenders - Black and white horizontal stripes which are three (3) inches wide; and

No offender may wear any article of clothing that is not issued to the offender by the Department of Corrections. The word "convict" must be written on the back of the shirt or other upper outer garment of clothing. This paragraph shall not apply to those enrolled in the Mississippi Statewide Incarcerated Veterans Program: Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUM-V).

(2) No convict incarcerated in a state correctional facility or a private correctional facility may be authorized or permitted to operate, use or have in his possession during the term of his incarceration any radio, television, record player, tape player, recorder, compact disc player, stereo or computer, except when such devices are used in a work incentive program authorized and administered by the Department of Corrections, or when the inmate is enrolled in the Mississippi Statewide Incarcerated Veterans Program: Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUM-V). The department shall develop and implement a plan to return such devices owned by inmates to the families of such inmates.

(3) No state correctional facility existing on August 23, 1994, and no correctional facility, public or private, constructed or contracted for under the provisions of this chapter shall include weight lifting equipment, except when such equipment is used in a work incentive program or when the inmates are enrolled in the Mississippi Statewide Incarcerated Veterans Program: Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUM-V).

(4) An inmate is prohibited from possessing individual air conditioners. However, the Department of Finance and Administration and Department of Corrections shall determine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of heating and refrigerated air conditioning equipment for the cooling and heating of a correctional facility constructed after August 23, 1994.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.