House Bill 753

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO REQUIRE A PILOT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM BE CREATED AT THE MARION-WALTHALL COUNTY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TO ASSIST TRANSITIONING INMATES FROM INCARCERATION TO SOCIETY; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BE PROVIDED AT THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST INMATES WHO ARE SOON TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Pursuant to Section 47-7-101, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, in consultation with the Mississippi Re-Entry Council Steering Committee, shall create a pilot re-entry project at the Marion-Walthall County Regional Correctional Facility with the purpose of transitioning inmates from incarceration to society.

(2) The Commissioner, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health, shall have the authority to establish programs at the Marion-Walthall County Regional Correctional Facility, including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral modification programs, drug and alcohol treatment programs and other mental health services to assist inmates who are soon to re-enter society.

(3) The Commissioner shall have the authority to use Department of Corrections' property, wherever situated in the state, as re-entry centers, community corrections centers and or technical violations centers as established under Section 47-7-38.1.

(4) This section shall be repealed on July 1, 2019.

SECTION 2. This act shall take place from and after July 1, 2016.