MS HB45

Requires the Department of Corrections to establish a flat rate with its telephone service provider for all local and long-distance collect calls made by inmates, effective July 1, 2017.

The flat rate must be comparable to standard residential phone service rates.

Makes minor technical corrections to Section 47-5-158, changing "money" to "monies" and "Chairman" to "Chair" in relevant sections.

Does not alter existing provisions regarding inmate telephone call commissions, which continue to be deposited into the Inmate Welfare Fund and allocated to equipment purchases (25%), the Prison Agricultural Enterprise Fund (35%), and general inmate welfare (40%).