Case plans for nonviolent inmates; require certain programs be placed within.
In summary, the enactment of HB715 aims to improve the rehabilitation process for inmates who have committed nonviolent crimes, highlighting a more rehabilitative rather than punitive approach within the correctional system and potentially contributing to long-term societal benefits.
The proposed legislation stipulates that each case plan must incorporate programs based on the results of a risk and needs assessment and include specific treatment or programming requirements as dictated by the inmate's sentencing order. Additionally, for nonviolent ex-offenders, the plans must address crucial areas such as criminal thinking, substance abuse, life skills, and behavioral health. These provisions reflect an effort to address the underlying issues that may have contributed to the offenders' criminal behavior, thereby aiming to facilitate better reentry into society.
House Bill 715 amends Section 47-7-3.1 of the Mississippi Code, focusing on the development of case plans for parole-eligible inmates who have committed nonviolent offenses. The purpose of the bill is to enhance the rehabilitation process of these inmates while in custody and to decrease the likelihood of recidivism upon their release. The bill mandates that within 90 days of an inmate's admission, a case plan must be developed in consultation with the Parole Board. This plan serves as a guideline to ensure that all parole-eligible inmates receive the necessary support and resources during their time in the department's custody.
There are points of contention regarding how effectively these case plans will be implemented and whether the necessary resources and support will be made available to all inmates as required. Critics may express concerns regarding the capacity of correctional facilities to provide adequate programming and treatment. For instance, the bill also allows for the Department of Corrections to contract regional jail facilities to offer educational and job-training programs if they are unable to meet the requirements internally, which could be seen as a stopgap measure rather than a solution.