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Mississippi Senate Bill SB3031

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi Senate Bill SB3031 Compare Versions

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1-MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Appropriations By: Senator(s) Hopson, Polk, DeLano, Barnett, McCaughn, McLendon Senate Bill 3031 (As Passed the Senate) AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the support and maintenance of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.......................... ............................................ $ 419,769,725.00. SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Department of Corrections which is collected by or otherwise becomes available for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the department, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 30,739,901.00. SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended: CENTRAL OFFICE Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 28,065,545.00 Special Funds............................. 5,565,573.00 Total............................... $ 33,631,118.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 174 Time-Limited: 8 FARMING OPERATIONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 0.00 Special Funds............................. 4,010,229.00 Total............................... $ 4,010,229.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 4 Time-Limited: 0 PAROLE BOARD Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 758,934.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 758,934.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 8 Time-Limited: 0 PRIVATE PRISONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 68,467,753.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 68,467,753.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 MEDICAL SERVICES Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 109,258,595.00 Special Funds............................. 375,447.00 Total............................... $ 109,634,042.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 1 Time-Limited: 2 REGIONAL FACILITIES Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 50,331,765.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 50,331,765.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 27,482,350.00 Special Funds............................. 13,225,955.00 Total............................... $ 40,708,305.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 486 Time-Limited: 83 LOCAL CONFINEMENT Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 10,064,537.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 10,064,537.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 36,777,599.00 Special Funds............................. 1,592,739.00 Total............................... $ 38,370,338.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 606 Time-Limited: 5 PARCHMAN Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 36,455,199.00 Special Funds............................. 2,321,993.00 Total............................... $ 38,777,192.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 617 Time-Limited: 9 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 25,655,967.00 Special Funds............................. 1,397,384.00 Total............................... $ 27,053,351.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 473 Time-Limited: 4 Marshall County Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 9,056,856.00 Special Funds............................. 750,180.00 Total............................... $ 9,807,036.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 140 Time-Limited: 0 Walnut Grove Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 9,964,435.00 Special Funds............................. 750,204.00 Total............................... $ 10,714,639.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 161 Time-Limited: 0 Delta Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 7,430,190.00 Special Funds............................. 750,197.00 Total............................... $ 8,180,387.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 114 Time-Limited: 0 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency. Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level. No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available. None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor. SECTION 4. The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections is hereby authorized to transfer spending authority between and within budgets, both positions and funds, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the authorized budgets in the aggregate. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 5. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below: FY2026 Performance Measures Target General Administration Support as a Percent of Total Budget 7.20 Number of State Prisoners per 100,000 Population (Includes only Inmates Sentenced to More than a Year) 646.00 Average Annual Incarceration Cost per Inmate 58.19 Percentage of Offenders Returning to Incarceration Within 3 Years of Release 34.60 Farming Operations Annual Income from Farm Sales 2,119,870.05 Parole Board Number of Inmates Paroled 3,800 Private Prisons Number of ABE Program Slots Available 302 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 127 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 148 Medical Services Number of Total Inmate Days in a Hospital 3,836 Regional Facilities Number of ABE program Slots Available 468 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 700 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 445 Probation/parole Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release to Field Supervision 8.20 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release to Field Supervision 17.70 Community Work Centers Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 17.60 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 29.80 Restitution Centers Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months 10.30 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months 17.00 Local Confinement Number of Days Offenders Held in County Jails 360,000 Institutional Security Number of Assaults on Inmates per 100 Inmates 3.90 Number of Assaults on Officers per 100 Officers 3.50 Youthful Offender School Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 7.00 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 30.00 Evidenced Based Intervention Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete the ABE Program 33.30 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete a Vocational Program 2.90 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete the A&D Program 30.40 Percent of Offenders Possessing GED Certificate or High School Diploma at Time of Release 45.20 Percent of Offenders Obtaining Marketable Job Skills During Incarceration 4.30 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027. SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, none shall be expended for personnel housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections unless the department shall collect a reasonable rent, after a finding of fact as to what is a reasonable rent, and/or the cost of utilities furnished to said housing. The Department of Corrections shall not pay for the installation or monthly service of any telephone installed in a staff residence under its jurisdiction. It is further the intention of the Legislature that none of the funds provided herein shall be used to pay certain utilities for state-furnished housing for any employees. Such utilities shall include electricity, natural gas, butane, propane and cable services. Where actual cost cannot be determined, the agency shall be required to provide meters to be in compliance with legislative intent. Such state-furnished housing shall include single-family and multifamily residences but shall not include any dormitory residences. Allowances for such utilities shall be prohibited. SECTION 7. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, and authorized for expenditure in Section 3 of this act, payment may be authorized for court-ordered attorney fees and any accrued interest subject to the approval of the Office of the Attorney General. SECTION 8. None of the money herein appropriated shall be paid to any person who by the provision of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, is prohibited from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The State Department of Finance and Administration shall at least annually make a report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review and to the Attorney General stating the name of any person prohibited under the provisions of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections who has during the preceding year received any money herein appropriated. In the event that any such person prohibited as hereinabove provided from receiving funds herein appropriated should receive any of said funds, the Attorney General shall immediately commence action to recover the monies so paid to said person and to enjoin the further employment of said person at the Mississippi Department of Corrections. SECTION 9. It is the intent of the Legislature that all prisoners at Parchman shall work a minimum of eight (8) hours per day, excluding prisoners with a physical disability or those incarcerated in maximum security. SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that the per diem rates paid to regional facilities shall not exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate. All regional facilities shall continue to receive the annual three percent (3%) increase in the per diem rate as authorized in Section 47-5-933, Mississippi Code of 1972; however, in no event shall any regional facility's per diem rate exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate. SECTION 11. The department or its contracted medical provider will pay to a provider of a medical service for any and all incarcerated persons from a correctional or detention facility an amount based upon negotiated fees as agreed to by the medical care service providers and the department and/or its contracted medical provider. In the absence of a negotiated discounted fee schedule, medical care service providers will be paid by the department or its contracted medical service provider an amount no greater than the reimbursement rate applicable based on the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. This limitation applies to all medical care services, durable and nondurable goods, prescription drugs and medications provided to any and all incarcerated persons outside of the correctional or detention facility. None of the monies appropriated herein may be used to pay for cosmetic medical procedures for any prisoner. Cosmetic medical procedure means any medical procedure performed in order to change an individual's appearance without significantly serving to prevent or treat illness or disease or to promote proper functioning of the body. SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall provide a report on all funds clawed back due to a company or individual not meeting the contractual obligations to the department. This report shall contain the name of the entity, the reason why the funds were clawed back, the amount of funds clawed back, and how the department utilized the funds received. As used in this section, the term funds clawed back shall include direct receipt of funds from an entity not meeting their contractual obligation and the reduction of funds owed by the department to an entity due to the entity not meeting their contractual obligation. The report shall be provided to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year and shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 13. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall have the authority to transfer cash from one special fund treasury fund to another special fund treasury fund under the control of the Department of Corrections. The purpose of this authority is to more efficiently use available cash reserves. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 14. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids. SECTION 15. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Welfare Fund, as created in Section 47-5-158, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding Nine Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($9,250,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Welfare Fund. Of these funds, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be used to provide for transitional housing and post release reentry programs. SECTION 16. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund, as created in Section 47-5-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund. The following funds shall be utilized to pay inmates who are participants in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program. SECTION 17. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process. SECTION 18. It is the intention of the Legislature for the Mississippi Department of Corrections to manage funds budgeted and allocated. In so doing, the commissioner of the department shall have the authority to amend, extend and/or renew the term of any lease agreement or any inmate housing agreement in connection with a correctional facility. Notwithstanding any statutory limits to the contrary, such amendment, extension and/or renewal may be for a length of time up to and including ten (10) years as is necessary for the continued operations of such facilities and implementation of the department's duties and responsibilities in accordance with Title 47 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. SECTION 19. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature that upon vouchers submitted by the board of supervisors of any county housing offenders in county jails pending a probation or parole revocation hearing, the department shall pay the reimbursement costs as provided for in Section 47-5-901, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended by House Bill No. 585, 2014 Regular Session. SECTION 20. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature, that for Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Corrections shall reimburse municipalities, up to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) a day, for the cost incurred of housing inmates in any jail facility based on time served for the conviction of larceny, shoplifting, or related convictions where the value of the property taken is Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more but is equal to or less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). A copy of the court abstract of record and the jail docket shall be provided to show the total number of days an individual was incarcerated in said jail facility. The reimbursement shall be payable back to the municipality upon receipt of required documentation and an invoice. Total reimbursements resulting from this section shall not exceed One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00). SECTION 21. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2 of this act, funds may be expended to defray the costs of clothing for sworn nonuniform law enforcement officers in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) annually per officer. SECTION 22. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, it is the intention of the Legislature that Five Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-one Dollars ($510,261.00) shall be allocated to Victim's Notification Programs supported by General Fund court assessments. SECTION 23. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,400,000.00) is provided for monitoring technology for probation and parole officers in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and reduce recidivism. SECTION 24. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law. SECTION 25. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and shall stand repealed from and after June 30, 2025.
1+MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Appropriations By: Senator(s) Hopson, Polk, DeLano, Barnett, McCaughn, McLendon Senate Bill 3031 AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the support and maintenance of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.......................... ............................................ $ 419,769,725.00. SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Department of Corrections which is collected by or otherwise becomes available for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the department, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 30,739,901.00. SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended: CENTRAL OFFICE Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 28,065,545.00 Special Funds............................. 5,565,573.00 Total............................... $ 33,631,118.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 174 Time-Limited: 8 FARMING OPERATIONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 0.00 Special Funds............................. 4,010,229.00 Total............................... $ 4,010,229.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 4 Time-Limited: 0 PAROLE BOARD Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 758,934.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 758,934.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 8 Time-Limited: 0 PRIVATE PRISONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 68,467,753.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 68,467,753.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 MEDICAL SERVICES Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 109,258,595.00 Special Funds............................. 375,447.00 Total............................... $ 109,634,042.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 1 Time-Limited: 2 REGIONAL FACILITIES Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 50,331,765.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 50,331,765.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 27,482,350.00 Special Funds............................. 13,225,955.00 Total............................... $ 40,708,305.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 486 Time-Limited: 83 LOCAL CONFINEMENT Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 10,064,537.00 Special Funds............................. 0.00 Total............................... $ 10,064,537.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 0 Time-Limited: 0 CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 36,777,599.00 Special Funds............................. 1,592,739.00 Total............................... $ 38,370,338.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 606 Time-Limited: 5 PARCHMAN Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 36,455,199.00 Special Funds............................. 2,321,993.00 Total............................... $ 38,777,192.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 617 Time-Limited: 9 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 25,655,967.00 Special Funds............................. 1,397,384.00 Total............................... $ 27,053,351.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 473 Time-Limited: 4 Marshall County Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 9,056,856.00 Special Funds............................. 750,180.00 Total............................... $ 9,807,036.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 140 Time-Limited: 0 Walnut Grove Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 9,964,435.00 Special Funds............................. 750,204.00 Total............................... $ 10,714,639.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 161 Time-Limited: 0 Delta Correctional Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized: FUNDING: General Funds............................ $ 7,430,190.00 Special Funds............................. 750,197.00 Total............................... $ 8,180,387.00 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 114 Time-Limited: 0 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency. Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level. No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available. None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor. SECTION 4. The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections is hereby authorized to transfer spending authority between and within budgets, both positions and funds, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the authorized budgets in the aggregate. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 5. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below: FY2026 Performance Measures Target General Administration Support as a Percent of Total Budget 7.20 Number of State Prisoners per 100,000 Population (Includes only Inmates Sentenced to More than a Year) 646.00 Average Annual Incarceration Cost per Inmate 58.19 Percentage of Offenders Returning to Incarceration Within 3 Years of Release 34.60 Farming Operations Annual Income from Farm Sales 2,119,870.05 Parole Board Number of Inmates Paroled 3,800 Private Prisons Number of ABE Program Slots Available 302 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 127 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 148 Medical Services Number of Total Inmate Days in a Hospital 3,836 Regional Facilities Number of ABE program Slots Available 468 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 700 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 445 Probation/parole Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release to Field Supervision 8.20 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release to Field Supervision 17.70 Community Work Centers Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 17.60 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 29.80 Restitution Centers Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months 10.30 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months 17.00 Local Confinement Number of Days Offenders Held in County Jails 360,000 Institutional Security Number of Assaults on Inmates per 100 Inmates 3.90 Number of Assaults on Officers per 100 Officers 3.50 Youthful Offender School Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 7.00 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 30.00 Evidenced Based Intervention Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete the ABE Program 33.30 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete a Vocational Program 2.90 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete the A&D Program 30.40 Percent of Offenders Possessing GED Certificate or High School Diploma at Time of Release 45.20 Percent of Offenders Obtaining Marketable Job Skills During Incarceration 4.30 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027. SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, none shall be expended for personnel housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections unless the department shall collect a reasonable rent, after a finding of fact as to what is a reasonable rent, and/or the cost of utilities furnished to said housing. The Department of Corrections shall not pay for the installation or monthly service of any telephone installed in a staff residence under its jurisdiction. It is further the intention of the Legislature that none of the funds provided herein shall be used to pay certain utilities for state-furnished housing for any employees. Such utilities shall include electricity, natural gas, butane, propane and cable services. Where actual cost cannot be determined, the agency shall be required to provide meters to be in compliance with legislative intent. Such state-furnished housing shall include single-family and multifamily residences but shall not include any dormitory residences. Allowances for such utilities shall be prohibited. SECTION 7. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, and authorized for expenditure in Section 3 of this act, payment may be authorized for court-ordered attorney fees and any accrued interest subject to the approval of the Office of the Attorney General. SECTION 8. None of the money herein appropriated shall be paid to any person who by the provision of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, is prohibited from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The State Department of Finance and Administration shall at least annually make a report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review and to the Attorney General stating the name of any person prohibited under the provisions of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections who has during the preceding year received any money herein appropriated. In the event that any such person prohibited as hereinabove provided from receiving funds herein appropriated should receive any of said funds, the Attorney General shall immediately commence action to recover the monies so paid to said person and to enjoin the further employment of said person at the Mississippi Department of Corrections. SECTION 9. It is the intent of the Legislature that all prisoners at Parchman shall work a minimum of eight (8) hours per day, excluding prisoners with a physical disability or those incarcerated in maximum security. SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that the per diem rates paid to regional facilities shall not exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate. All regional facilities shall continue to receive the annual three percent (3%) increase in the per diem rate as authorized in Section 47-5-933, Mississippi Code of 1972; however, in no event shall any regional facility's per diem rate exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate. SECTION 11. The department or its contracted medical provider will pay to a provider of a medical service for any and all incarcerated persons from a correctional or detention facility an amount based upon negotiated fees as agreed to by the medical care service providers and the department and/or its contracted medical provider. In the absence of a negotiated discounted fee schedule, medical care service providers will be paid by the department or its contracted medical service provider an amount no greater than the reimbursement rate applicable based on the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. This limitation applies to all medical care services, durable and nondurable goods, prescription drugs and medications provided to any and all incarcerated persons outside of the correctional or detention facility. None of the monies appropriated herein may be used to pay for cosmetic medical procedures for any prisoner. Cosmetic medical procedure means any medical procedure performed in order to change an individual's appearance without significantly serving to prevent or treat illness or disease or to promote proper functioning of the body. SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall provide a report on all funds clawed back due to a company or individual not meeting the contractual obligations to the department. This report shall contain the name of the entity, the reason why the funds were clawed back, the amount of funds clawed back, and how the department utilized the funds received. As used in this section, the term funds clawed back shall include direct receipt of funds from an entity not meeting their contractual obligation and the reduction of funds owed by the department to an entity due to the entity not meeting their contractual obligation. The report shall be provided to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year and shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 13. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall have the authority to transfer cash from one special fund treasury fund to another special fund treasury fund under the control of the Department of Corrections. The purpose of this authority is to more efficiently use available cash reserves. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years. SECTION 14. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids. SECTION 15. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Welfare Fund, as created in Section 47-5-158, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding Nine Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($9,250,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Welfare Fund. Of these funds, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be used to provide for transitional housing and post release reentry programs. SECTION 16. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund, as created in Section 47-5-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund. The following funds shall be utilized to pay inmates who are participants in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program. SECTION 17. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process. SECTION 18. It is the intention of the Legislature for the Mississippi Department of Corrections to manage funds budgeted and allocated. In so doing, the commissioner of the department shall have the authority to amend, extend and/or renew the term of any lease agreement or any inmate housing agreement in connection with a correctional facility. Notwithstanding any statutory limits to the contrary, such amendment, extension and/or renewal may be for a length of time up to and including ten (10) years as is necessary for the continued operations of such facilities and implementation of the department's duties and responsibilities in accordance with Title 47 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. SECTION 19. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature that upon vouchers submitted by the board of supervisors of any county housing offenders in county jails pending a probation or parole revocation hearing, the department shall pay the reimbursement costs as provided for in Section 47-5-901, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended by House Bill No. 585, 2014 Regular Session. SECTION 20. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature, that for Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Corrections shall reimburse municipalities, up to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) a day, for the cost incurred of housing inmates in any jail facility based on time served for the conviction of larceny, shoplifting, or related convictions where the value of the property taken is Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more but is equal to or less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). A copy of the court abstract of record and the jail docket shall be provided to show the total number of days an individual was incarcerated in said jail facility. The reimbursement shall be payable back to the municipality upon receipt of required documentation and an invoice. Total reimbursements resulting from this section shall not exceed One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00). SECTION 21. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2 of this act, funds may be expended to defray the costs of clothing for sworn nonuniform law enforcement officers in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) annually per officer. SECTION 22. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, it is the intention of the Legislature that Five Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-one Dollars ($510,261.00) shall be allocated to Victim's Notification Programs supported by General Fund court assessments. SECTION 23. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,400,000.00) is provided for monitoring technology for probation and parole officers in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and reduce recidivism. SECTION 24. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law. SECTION 25. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and shall stand repealed from and after June 30, 2025.
22
33 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
44
55 2025 Regular Session
66
77 To: Appropriations
88
99 By: Senator(s) Hopson, Polk, DeLano, Barnett, McCaughn, McLendon
1010
1111 # Senate Bill 3031
12-
13-## (As Passed the Senate)
1412
1513 AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
1614
1715 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
1816
1917 SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the support and maintenance of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026..........................
2018
2119 ............................................ $ 419,769,725.00.
2220
2321 SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Department of Corrections which is collected by or otherwise becomes available for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the department, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 30,739,901.00.
2422
2523 SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended:
2624
2725 CENTRAL OFFICE
2826
2927 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
3028
3129 FUNDING:
3230
3331 General Funds............................ $ 28,065,545.00
3432
3533 Special Funds............................. 5,565,573.00
3634
3735 Total............................... $ 33,631,118.00
3836
3937 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
4038
4139 Permanent: 174
4240
4341 Time-Limited: 8
4442
4543 FARMING OPERATIONS
4644
4745 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
4846
4947 FUNDING:
5048
5149 General Funds............................ $ 0.00
5250
5351 Special Funds............................. 4,010,229.00
5452
5553 Total............................... $ 4,010,229.00
5654
5755 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
5856
5957 Permanent: 4
6058
6159 Time-Limited: 0
6260
6361 PAROLE BOARD
6462
6563 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
6664
6765 FUNDING:
6866
6967 General Funds............................ $ 758,934.00
7068
7169 Special Funds............................. 0.00
7270
7371 Total............................... $ 758,934.00
7472
7573 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
7674
7775 Permanent: 8
7876
7977 Time-Limited: 0
8078
8179 PRIVATE PRISONS
8280
8381 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
8482
8583 FUNDING:
8684
8785 General Funds............................ $ 68,467,753.00
8886
8987 Special Funds............................. 0.00
9088
9189 Total............................... $ 68,467,753.00
9290
9391 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
9492
9593 Permanent: 0
9694
9795 Time-Limited: 0
9896
9997 MEDICAL SERVICES
10098
10199 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
102100
103101 FUNDING:
104102
105103 General Funds............................ $ 109,258,595.00
106104
107105 Special Funds............................. 375,447.00
108106
109107 Total............................... $ 109,634,042.00
110108
111109 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
112110
113111 Permanent: 1
114112
115113 Time-Limited: 2
116114
117115 REGIONAL FACILITIES
118116
119117 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
120118
121119 FUNDING:
122120
123121 General Funds............................ $ 50,331,765.00
124122
125123 Special Funds............................. 0.00
126124
127125 Total............................... $ 50,331,765.00
128126
129127 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
130128
131129 Permanent: 0
132130
133131 Time-Limited: 0
134132
135133 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
136134
137135 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
138136
139137 FUNDING:
140138
141139 General Funds............................ $ 27,482,350.00
142140
143141 Special Funds............................. 13,225,955.00
144142
145143 Total............................... $ 40,708,305.00
146144
147145 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
148146
149147 Permanent: 486
150148
151149 Time-Limited: 83
152150
153151 LOCAL CONFINEMENT
154152
155153 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
156154
157155 FUNDING:
158156
159157 General Funds............................ $ 10,064,537.00
160158
161159 Special Funds............................. 0.00
162160
163161 Total............................... $ 10,064,537.00
164162
165163 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
166164
167165 Permanent: 0
168166
169167 Time-Limited: 0
170168
171169 CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL
172170
173171 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
174172
175173 FUNDING:
176174
177175 General Funds............................ $ 36,777,599.00
178176
179177 Special Funds............................. 1,592,739.00
180178
181179 Total............................... $ 38,370,338.00
182180
183181 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
184182
185183 Permanent: 606
186184
187185 Time-Limited: 5
188186
189187 PARCHMAN
190188
191189 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
192190
193191 FUNDING:
194192
195193 General Funds............................ $ 36,455,199.00
196194
197195 Special Funds............................. 2,321,993.00
198196
199197 Total............................... $ 38,777,192.00
200198
201199 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
202200
203201 Permanent: 617
204202
205203 Time-Limited: 9
206204
207205 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL
208206
209207 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
210208
211209 FUNDING:
212210
213211 General Funds............................ $ 25,655,967.00
214212
215213 Special Funds............................. 1,397,384.00
216214
217215 Total............................... $ 27,053,351.00
218216
219217 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
220218
221219 Permanent: 473
222220
223221 Time-Limited: 4
224222
225223 Marshall County Correctional
226224
227225 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
228226
229227 FUNDING:
230228
231229 General Funds............................ $ 9,056,856.00
232230
233231 Special Funds............................. 750,180.00
234232
235233 Total............................... $ 9,807,036.00
236234
237235 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
238236
239237 Permanent: 140
240238
241239 Time-Limited: 0
242240
243241 Walnut Grove Correctional
244242
245243 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
246244
247245 FUNDING:
248246
249247 General Funds............................ $ 9,964,435.00
250248
251249 Special Funds............................. 750,204.00
252250
253251 Total............................... $ 10,714,639.00
254252
255253 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
256254
257255 Permanent: 161
258256
259257 Time-Limited: 0
260258
261259 Delta Correctional
262260
263261 Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the following funding and positions are authorized:
264262
265263 FUNDING:
266264
267265 General Funds............................ $ 7,430,190.00
268266
269267 Special Funds............................. 750,197.00
270268
271269 Total............................... $ 8,180,387.00
272270
273271 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
274272
275273 Permanent: 114
276274
277275 Time-Limited: 0
278276
279277 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board.
280278
281279 Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency.
282280
283281 Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level.
284282
285283 No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.
286284
287285 None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor.
288286
289287 SECTION 4. The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections is hereby authorized to transfer spending authority between and within budgets, both positions and funds, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the authorized budgets in the aggregate. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years.
290288
291289 SECTION 5. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below:
292290
293291 FY2026
294292
295293 Performance Measures Target
296294
297295 General Administration
298296
299297 Support as a Percent of Total Budget 7.20
300298
301299 Number of State Prisoners per 100,000
302300
303301 Population (Includes only Inmates
304302
305303 Sentenced to More than a Year) 646.00
306304
307305 Average Annual Incarceration Cost per Inmate 58.19
308306
309307 Percentage of Offenders Returning to
310308
311309 Incarceration Within 3 Years of Release 34.60
312310
313311 Farming Operations
314312
315313 Annual Income from Farm Sales 2,119,870.05
316314
317315 Parole Board
318316
319317 Number of Inmates Paroled 3,800
320318
321319 Private Prisons
322320
323321 Number of ABE Program Slots Available 302
324322
325323 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 127
326324
327325 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 148
328326
329327 Medical Services
330328
331329 Number of Total Inmate Days in a Hospital 3,836
332330
333331 Regional Facilities
334332
335333 Number of ABE program Slots Available 468
336334
337335 Number of VOC-ED Program Slots Available 700
338336
339337 Number of A&D Program Slots Available 445
340338
341339 Probation/parole
342340
343341 Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of
344342
345343 Release to Field Supervision 8.20
346344
347345 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of
348346
349347 Release to Field Supervision 17.70
350348
351349 Community Work Centers
352350
353351 Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 17.60
354352
355353 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 29.80
356354
357355 Restitution Centers
358356
359357 Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months 10.30
360358
361359 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months 17.00
362360
363361 Local Confinement
364362
365363 Number of Days Offenders Held in County
366364
367365 Jails 360,000
368366
369367 Institutional Security
370368
371369 Number of Assaults on Inmates per 100
372370
373371 Inmates 3.90
374372
375373 Number of Assaults on Officers per 100
376374
377375 Officers 3.50
378376
379377 Youthful Offender School
380378
381379 Recidivism Rate Within 12 Months of Release 7.00
382380
383381 Recidivism Rate Within 36 Months of Release 30.00
384382
385383 Evidenced Based Intervention
386384
387385 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete
388386
389387 the ABE Program 33.30
390388
391389 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete
392390
393391 a Vocational Program 2.90
394392
395393 Recidivism Rate for Inmates who Complete
396394
397395 the A&D Program 30.40
398396
399397 Percent of Offenders Possessing GED
400398
401399 Certificate or High School Diploma at
402400
403401 Time of Release 45.20
404402
405403 Percent of Offenders Obtaining
406404
407405 Marketable Job Skills During
408406
409407 Incarceration 4.30
410408
411409 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027.
412410
413411 SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, none shall be expended for personnel housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections unless the department shall collect a reasonable rent, after a finding of fact as to what is a reasonable rent, and/or the cost of utilities furnished to said housing. The Department of Corrections shall not pay for the installation or monthly service of any telephone installed in a staff residence under its jurisdiction.
414412
415413 It is further the intention of the Legislature that none of the funds provided herein shall be used to pay certain utilities for state-furnished housing for any employees. Such utilities shall include electricity, natural gas, butane, propane and cable services. Where actual cost cannot be determined, the agency shall be required to provide meters to be in compliance with legislative intent. Such state-furnished housing shall include single-family and multifamily residences but shall not include any dormitory residences. Allowances for such utilities shall be prohibited.
416414
417415 SECTION 7. Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2 of this act, and authorized for expenditure in Section 3 of this act, payment may be authorized for court-ordered attorney fees and any accrued interest subject to the approval of the Office of the Attorney General.
418416
419417 SECTION 8. None of the money herein appropriated shall be paid to any person who by the provision of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, is prohibited from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The State Department of Finance and Administration shall at least annually make a report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review and to the Attorney General stating the name of any person prohibited under the provisions of Section 47-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, from being an employee of the Mississippi Department of Corrections who has during the preceding year received any money herein appropriated. In the event that any such person prohibited as hereinabove provided from receiving funds herein appropriated should receive any of said funds, the Attorney General shall immediately commence action to recover the monies so paid to said person and to enjoin the further employment of said person at the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
420418
421419 SECTION 9. It is the intent of the Legislature that all prisoners at Parchman shall work a minimum of eight (8) hours per day, excluding prisoners with a physical disability or those incarcerated in maximum security.
422420
423421 SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that the per diem rates paid to regional facilities shall not exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate. All regional facilities shall continue to receive the annual three percent (3%) increase in the per diem rate as authorized in Section 47-5-933, Mississippi Code of 1972; however, in no event shall any regional facility's per diem rate exceed Thirty-two Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($32.71) per inmate.
424422
425423 SECTION 11. The department or its contracted medical provider will pay to a provider of a medical service for any and all incarcerated persons from a correctional or detention facility an amount based upon negotiated fees as agreed to by the medical care service providers and the department and/or its contracted medical provider. In the absence of a negotiated discounted fee schedule, medical care service providers will be paid by the department or its contracted medical service provider an amount no greater than the reimbursement rate applicable based on the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. This limitation applies to all medical care services, durable and nondurable goods, prescription drugs and medications provided to any and all incarcerated persons outside of the correctional or detention facility. None of the monies appropriated herein may be used to pay for cosmetic medical procedures for any prisoner. Cosmetic medical procedure means any medical procedure performed in order to change an individual's appearance without significantly serving to prevent or treat illness or disease or to promote proper functioning of the body.
426424
427425 SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall provide a report on all funds clawed back due to a company or individual not meeting the contractual obligations to the department. This report shall contain the name of the entity, the reason why the funds were clawed back, the amount of funds clawed back, and how the department utilized the funds received. As used in this section, the term funds clawed back shall include direct receipt of funds from an entity not meeting their contractual obligation and the reduction of funds owed by the department to an entity due to the entity not meeting their contractual obligation. The report shall be provided to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year and shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years.
428426
429427 SECTION 13. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall have the authority to transfer cash from one special fund treasury fund to another special fund treasury fund under the control of the Department of Corrections. The purpose of this authority is to more efficiently use available cash reserves. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. The department shall provide a report of all transfers made under this section to the Chairmen of Senate and House Appropriations and Corrections Committees and the Legislative Budget Office by December 15 of each fiscal year which shall contain the required information from the previous and current fiscal years.
430428
431429 SECTION 14. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.
432430
433431 SECTION 15. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Welfare Fund, as created in Section 47-5-158, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding Nine Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($9,250,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Welfare Fund. Of these funds, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be used to provide for transitional housing and post release reentry programs.
434432
435433 SECTION 16. It is the intention of the Legislature that all funds held by the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund, as created in Section 47-5-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, be placed in a treasury fund. Of the amounts appropriated in Section 2 of this act, an amount not exceeding One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be available for expenditure in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund. The following funds shall be utilized to pay inmates who are participants in the Inmate Incentive to Work Program.
436434
437435 SECTION 17. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process.
438436
439437 SECTION 18. It is the intention of the Legislature for the Mississippi Department of Corrections to manage funds budgeted and allocated. In so doing, the commissioner of the department shall have the authority to amend, extend and/or renew the term of any lease agreement or any inmate housing agreement in connection with a correctional facility. Notwithstanding any statutory limits to the contrary, such amendment, extension and/or renewal may be for a length of time up to and including ten (10) years as is necessary for the continued operations of such facilities and implementation of the department's duties and responsibilities in accordance with Title 47 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended.
440438
441439 SECTION 19. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature that upon vouchers submitted by the board of supervisors of any county housing offenders in county jails pending a probation or parole revocation hearing, the department shall pay the reimbursement costs as provided for in Section 47-5-901, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended by House Bill No. 585, 2014 Regular Session.
442440
443441 SECTION 20. With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intent of the Legislature, that for Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Corrections shall reimburse municipalities, up to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) a day, for the cost incurred of housing inmates in any jail facility based on time served for the conviction of larceny, shoplifting, or related convictions where the value of the property taken is Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more but is equal to or less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). A copy of the court abstract of record and the jail docket shall be provided to show the total number of days an individual was incarcerated in said jail facility. The reimbursement shall be payable back to the municipality upon receipt of required documentation and an invoice. Total reimbursements resulting from this section shall not exceed One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00).
444442
445443 SECTION 21. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2 of this act, funds may be expended to defray the costs of clothing for sworn nonuniform law enforcement officers in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) annually per officer.
446444
447445 SECTION 22. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, it is the intention of the Legislature that Five Hundred Ten Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-one Dollars ($510,261.00) shall be allocated to Victim's Notification Programs supported by General Fund court assessments.
448446
449447 SECTION 23. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this act, Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,400,000.00) is provided for monitoring technology for probation and parole officers in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and reduce recidivism.
450448
451449 SECTION 24. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.
452450
453451 SECTION 25. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and shall stand repealed from and after June 30, 2025.