MS HB1231

Creates a 21-member Corrections and Criminal Justice Task Force to comprehensively review Mississippi's corrections and criminal justice systems and study the relationship between them.

Task force membership includes legislative committee chairs, state officials (Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, Attorney General, Corrections Commissioner), judges appointed by the Chief Justice, and representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, defense, and civil rights organizations.

Task force shall review sentencing guidelines, analyze offender populations for sentencing discrepancies, assess cost-effectiveness, review drug court and alternative incarceration programs, and consult with government and nongovernmental leaders including formerly incarcerated individuals.

Requires task force to submit a final report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Legislature, Governor, and local/tribal governments by December 31, 2013, including vote totals for each recommendation.

Task force is abolished upon submission of the report; the Mississippi Department of Corrections shall provide staff support for the task force's work.