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Corrections chief tells JLBC prison population is stable at about 19,363; highlights education and contraband controls
Summary
Mississippi corrections leadership told the JLBC the inmate population is roughly 19,363 and outlined in‑house cost savings, vocational certification for inmates, new perimeter and contraband controls, and efforts to reduce recidivism while lawmakers pressed on parole/staffing and medical contract problems.
Mississippi Department of Corrections officials told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on Sept. 24 that the state prison population is about 19,363 and largely stable, and outlined several in‑house initiatives intended to cut costs and lower recidivism.
The commissioner said the agency uses inmate teachers and in‑house labor to run programs that would otherwise require outside hires; officials reported more than 1,100 inmates have earned vocational patches (examples cited included HVAC certification). The department also described an in‑house camera and fence camera program that detects fence‑line contraband drops and a cellphone‑analysis effort that has led to the removal of more than 800 illicit phones from facilities.
Lawmakers pressed corrections leaders on the rise in population since 2022 and on staffing levels for correctional officers and for probation and parole. Senator Sparks noted the department’s online data showing an increase from roughly 16,800 in January 2022 to nearly 19,000 in 2023 and asked what is driving the change. The commissioner said courts returning to normal operations after COVID and increased admissions partly explain the increase and emphasized the department’s efforts to equip inmates with marketable skills to reduce returns to custody.
On medical services, committee members raised problems with VitalCore, the state’s private medical contractor, including vendor billing practices and unpaid vendor invoices. Corrections staff said the department monitors contractor staffing and clawbacks monthly and is increasing internal oversight and auditing of claims; a staff presenter said adjustments are underway and a formal letter on clawbacks will be provided to the committee.
Lawmakers asked about parole and probation staffing and the timing of picking up parole violators. Officials said probation and parole have received step increases in recent years and the department is seeking roughly $3 million to improve pay competitiveness and reduce vacancies; they said case‑plan completion and an electronic case management upgrade (funded by last year’s appropriation) are on track to help streamline parole reviews and reentry planning.
The committee did not take formal votes on policy during the presentation but indicated continued scrutiny of medical contracting and parole staffing ahead of budget deliberations. The department said it will provide written follow‑up on vendor clawbacks, staffing counts, and electronic case management timelines.
The JLBC moved to the next agenda item after about three hours of questioning and explanation.
