MS HB111

Establishes the Inmate Welfare Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury rather than a bank account maintained by the department, with deposits including canteen profits, performance revenues, and telephone commissions.

Requires the Inmate Welfare Fund Committee to adopt regulations governing fund expenditures, conduct annual needs assessments with input from department personnel, inmates, and families, and evaluate third-party proposals for canteen service administration.

Mandates the Department of Corrections issue a request for proposals (RFP) for inmate canteen services with notice published in newspapers for three weeks, evaluated by the Inmate Welfare Fund Committee on criteria including qualifications and commission/pricing expectations.

Allows the PEER Committee to conduct compliance audits of canteen service contractors at the request of either Corrections Committee and with appropriated funds, with audit results delivered to the Legislature by January 1.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.