MS HB523

Removes age restriction at Walnut Grove Correctional Facility, allowing any state offender to be housed there instead of only those 22 years old or younger.

Maintains Walnut Grove's maximum security capacity at not more than 1,500 offenders under contract with the Department of Corrections.

Establishes a Youthful Offender Unit (YOU) at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility for offenders age 17 and under assigned to state prison.

Requires youth in the YOU be housed separately from adult inmates, with Commissioner discretion to house vulnerable 18-19 year-olds in the unit.

Mandates the YOU provide youth with daily interactive, structured rehabilitative, educational programming, and recreational activities tailored to adolescent developmental needs.