Mississippi House Bill HB27

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Correctional system cost-per-day reviews; transfer responsibility from PEER to MDOC.

Impact

By shifting the oversight of cost-per-day reviews to the Department of Corrections, HB 27 is expected to enhance efficiency in evaluating contracts for private correctional services. The bill mandates that a minimum cost savings of 10% must be demonstrated by any private operation compared to the Department’s costs, aiming to ensure that taxpayer money is efficiently spent while maintaining service quality. This change could result in more rigorous standards and expectations on private contractors to deliver services that meet state standards.

Summary

House Bill 27 primarily focuses on amending Section 47-5-1211 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, transferring responsibility for conducting cost-per-day reviews from the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) to the Department of Corrections. This legislation aims to streamline the evaluation process associated with the costs of private correctional facilities. The intent is to empower the Department of Corrections to have a more direct role in assessing and ensuring cost-effective operations in private incarceration settings.

Contention

Some concerns may arise regarding the centralization of responsibility within the Department of Corrections. Critics may argue that transferring this responsibility could lessen the accountability historically held by the PEER, which was previously tasked with this oversight role. The emphasis on cost savings might also provoke debates about whether quality of service could be compromised in favor of lower expenses. Stakeholders in the corrections community may question the implications this bill could have on the overall operational standards and treatment of inmates in private facilities.