House Bill 1352

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS MAY USE A PREPAID PHONE CALL WHEN MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL MAY PURCHASE THE CARD OR HAVE OTHERS PURCHASE THE CARD ON HIS OR HER BEHALF; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE PURCHASE, POSSESSION AND USE OF THE CARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Any person who is in the custody of the Department of Corrections and has phone privileges, as may be determined by the rules and regulations of the department, may make phone calls by using a prepaid phone card. A prepaid phone card means a card that is paid in advance and offers a consumer the convenience of making a local or long distance call without making a collect call, using cash or using a telephone credit card. The prepaid phone card may be purchased by the inmate or by the inmate's family or others of his or her choosing. When a prepaid phone card is purchased, it may be furnished to the inmate according to the rules and regulations that shall be established by the department regarding the purchase, possession and use of the card.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.