House Bill 1476, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, would allow inmates at the Delta Correctional Facility (DCF), a women’s prison in Greenwood operated by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to participate in a work release program similar to an existing program at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility.
Under this program, up to 100 women at a time, all of whom will be within three years of their parole date, will be allowed to work at a business or agency outside the prison during the day and return to the prison after work. They will be paid a regular wage by their employer, and their paychecks will be allocated as follows: 20% toward child support, fines, fees, and/or restitution; 50% will go into an account that will be available to the inmate when she leaves prison; 20% will be used to pay the administrative cost of the program; and 10% will be available to the inmate to spend at the prison canteen or other allowable items.
Empower Mississippi supports this bill.
HB 1476 has passed the House of Representatives and will now be considered by the Senate.
