Bill Text: MS SB2877 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Offenders; MDOC to establish rules regarding uniforms for and items that may not be possessed by.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Failed) 2019-02-05 - Died In Committee [SB2877 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2019-SB2877-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Corrections; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th), Norwood

Senate Bill 2877

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-124, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO DETERMINE UNIFORM DESIGNATIONS FOR OFFENDERS IN ITS CUSTODY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DETERMINE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE USE OR POSSESSION OF CERTAIN ITEMS BY OFFENDERS IN ITS CUSTODY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 47-5-124, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     47-5-124.  (1) * * *Beginning January 1, 1995, the Department of Corrections shall phase in the following uniform designations for all offenders housed by the Department of Corrections:

  (a)  Maximum security offenders ‑ Red and white horizontal stripes which are three (3) inches wide;

  (b)  Medium security offenders ‑ Black and white horizontal stripes which are three (3) inches wide; and

  (c)  Minimum security offenders ‑ Green and white horizontal stripes which are three (3) inches wide.

No offender may wear any article of clothing that is not issued to the offender by the Department of Corrections.  The word "convict" must be written on the back of the shirt or other upper outer garment of clothing  The Department of Corrections shall adopt and implement rules establishing uniform designations for all offenders in its custody, including those offenders in the Recidivism Reduction Program.

     (2)  No convict incarcerated in a state correctional facility or a private correctional facility may be authorized or permitted to operate, use or have in his possession during the term of his incarceration any * * *radio, television, record player, tape player, recorder, compact disc player, stereo or computer, except when such devices are used in a work incentive program authorized and administered item that has not been authorized by the Department of Corrections. * * *The department shall develop and implement a plan to return such devices owned by inmates to the families of such inmates.

     (3)  No state correctional facility existing on August 23, 1994, and no correctional facility, public or private, constructed or contracted for under the provisions of this chapter shall include weight lifting equipment, except when such equipment is * * *used in a work incentive program authorized by the Department of Corrections.

     (4)  An inmate is prohibited from possessing individual air conditioners.  However, the Department of Finance and Administration and Department of Corrections shall determine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of heating and refrigerated air-conditioning equipment for the cooling and heating of a correctional facility constructed after August 23, 1994.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.

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