MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Penitentiary

By: Representative Malone

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE OFFENDERS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE SHERIFF OR ANY OTHER OFFICIAL AUTHORIZED TO HOUSE OFFENDERS, AS THE CASE MAY BE, TO WORK FOR NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS AND ENTITIES WHICH MANUFACTURE PRODUCTS WHICH ARE SOLD ONLY TO NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS, THE STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) In addition to any other provisions of law, the Commissioner of Corrections, the sheriff of any county or any other official authorized to house offenders, as the case may be, may authorize the working of offenders, on a voluntary basis, for the benefit of, in support of or by any nonprofit corporation, as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and in support of any nonprofit entity, as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which manufactures products which are sold only to nonprofit corporations, the state or any political subdivision of the state.

(2) The Department of Corrections, the sheriff of any county or any other official authorized to house offenders, as the case may be, shall establish all proper regulations for the working, guarding, safekeeping, clothing, housing and subsistence of offenders when they are working.

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