During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the current state of the detainee population, revealing significant trends and challenges faced by the department. As of the latest report, there are 460 state detainees in custody, a notable increase from the lower numbers observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw populations drop below 300. The department emphasized that it does not have control over these numbers, as it does not arrest or release detainees, but is responsible for their care while in custody.

The meeting highlighted that approximately 50 of the detainees are housed in a women's facility, with the majority—around 420—located in male facilities. The overall population, including those in Mississippi, totals 1,442 detainees, with 113 individuals specifically in Mississippi.

Officials noted that the system has been operating above its capacity, currently at 133%, which exceeds the recommended maximum of 85%. This overcapacity includes individuals housed in specialty beds for medical or mental health needs, raising concerns about the appropriateness of bed assignments. The discussion underscored the importance of ensuring that detainees are placed in suitable accommodations based on their specific needs.

A striking statistic revealed that 40% of individuals in pretrial detention provided out-of-state addresses, indicating a significant number of detainees are not local residents. This raises questions about the implications for the local justice system and the resources required to manage such a population.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the ongoing challenges in managing detainee populations effectively, particularly in light of fluctuating numbers and the need for appropriate facility accommodations.