MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Corrections

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-938, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE REGIONAL PRISONS TO ESTABLISH WORK PROGRAMS WITH THE MISSISSIPPI PRISON INDUSTRIES CORPORATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 47-5-938, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

47-5-938. (1) Offenders are encouraged to participate in work programs. The chief corrections officer as created in Section 47-5-935, with ratification of the board of supervisors of the county in which a correctional facility established pursuant to Sections 47-5-931 through 47-5-941, is located, may enter into agreements to provide work for any state offender housed in the facility, with the nonprofit prison industries corporation as defined under Section 47-5-539. The corporation and the chief corrections officer may work offenders in any work program authorized by law.

(2) The chief corrections officer shall promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to govern the work performance of the offenders for the parties to the agreements. Political subdivisions of the State of Mississippi including, but not limited to, counties, municipalities, school districts, drainage districts, water management districts and joint county-municipal endeavors are to have free use of the offender's labor but are responsible for reimbursing the facility for costs of transportation, guards, meals and other necessary costs when the inmates are providing work for that political body. Offenders may be compensated for work performed if the agreement so provides.

(3) There is created a special fund in the county treasury to be known as the "offender's compensation fund." All compensation paid to offenders shall be placed in the special fund for use by the offenders to purchase certain goods and other items of value as authorized in Section 47-5-109, for offenders housed in state correctional facilities. As provided in Section 47-5-194, no cash is to be paid to offenders. The agreement shall provide that a certain portion of the compensation shall be used for the welfare of the offenders. Expenditures from that fund can be made by the chief corrections officer for any lawful purpose that is in the best interest and welfare of the offenders. The chief corrections officer, his employees and the county or counties owning the facility are given the authority necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(4) The provisions of this section shall be supplemental to any other provisions of law regarding offender labor and work programs.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.