SB 2242 — Inmate work release program; authorize to perform services for MDOT.

2242 (As PassedSent theto Senate)Governor) AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-401, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH AN INMATE WORK PROGRAM WHERE STATE INMATES CAN WORK FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION;

TO REQUIRE WORK PARTICIPANTS TO UTILIZE THEIR WAGES FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES;

(2) (a) An inmate shall not be eligible to participate in a work program established in accordance with the provisions of Sections 47-5-401 through 47-5-421 if he has been convicted of any crime of S.

2242 *SS36/R761PS**SS08/R761SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 25/SS36/R761PS25/SS08/R761SG PAGE 1 crime of violence, including, but not limited to, murder, aggravated assault, rape, robbery or armed robbery.

(b) Any person who has been sentenced to confinement in jail or who has been sentenced for a felony conviction but is confined in a jail may request assignment to the work release program established under subsections (1) through (4) of this section.

Admission to the program shall be in the discretion of the sheriff.

The sheriff may further authorize the offender to participate in educational or other rehabilitative programs designed to supplement his work release employment or to prepare the person for successful reentry.

No offender shall be eligible for this program if he or she has more than one (1) year remaining on his or her sentence.

(4)S. In addition to any programs established by authority of subsections (1) through (3) of this section, the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall establish an inmate work program under which eligible inmates shall perform services for the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections shall adopt rules necessary to implement the purposes of this act, including those necessary to define eligibility for participation in the program and inmate compensation.

Such programs shall be established in each Mississippi Department of Transportation District.

The S.

2242 *SS36/R761PS**SS08/R761SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/SS36/R761PS25/SS08/R761SG PAGE 2 (4) (a) In addition to any programs established by authority of subsections (1) through (3) of this section, the Mississippi Department of Corrections may establish an inmate work withprogram MAGCORunder inwhich implementingeligible thisinmates program.perform services for the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

SECTIONThe 2.Mississippi Department of Corrections shall adopt rules necessary to implement the purposes of this act, including those necessary to define eligibility for participation in the program.

Inmate compensation for the program shall be no less than the prevailing wage for the position and shall under no circumstances pay less than the federal minimum wage.

Any inmate who participates in the program established under the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall maintain an account through a local financial institution and shall provide a copy of a check stub to the commissioner or his designee.

(b) Any inmate who is a work participant for the program established under the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall be required to pay his or her wages for the following purposes:

(i) To pay twenty-five percent (25%) toward any support of dependents or to the Mississippi Department of Human Services on behalf of dependents as may be ordered by a judge of competent jurisdiction as well as fines, restitution, or costs as ordered by the court to include any fines and fees associated with obtaining a valid driver's license upon release.

Once all the S.

B.

No.

2242 *SS08/R761SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/SS08/R761SG PAGE 3 aforementioned balances have been cleared, or if no liability exists, these funds shall be added to the participants savings diversion program.

(ii) To save fifty percent (50%) of the inmate's wages in the account required under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Monies under this subparagraph shall be made available to the inmate upon parole or release.

(iii) To pay up to fifteen percent (15%) of the inmate's wages to the facility for administrative expenses to include transportation costs.

(iv) The inmate shall have access to the remaining ten percent (10%) of the monies in his or her account to purchase incidental expenses.

(c) Any monies remaining under paragraph (b) of this subsection after all mandatory deductions are paid, shall be deposited in the inmate's account established under this subsection.

Any monies remaining under this subsection, upon the release of the inmate, shall be released to the inmate upon his or her release.

(d) The work program required under this section with the Mississippi Department of Transportation may, in the discretion of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, be established in each Mississippi Department of Transportation District.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections may work with MAGCOR in implementing this program.

S.

B.

No.

2242 *SS08/R761SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/SS08/R761SG PAGE 4 SECTION 2.

This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2025.

2242 *SS36/R761PS**SS08/R761SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/SS36/R761PS25/SS08/R761SG ST:

authorize to PAGE 35 perform services for MDOT.