MS SB2743

Creates a new Mississippi Department of Reentry and Supervision as an independent state agency, with the Division of Community Corrections transferring from the Department of Corrections to this new department effective July 1, 2021.

Establishes an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman with inspection and complaint investigation authority, an Inspections Section and Complaints Investigation Section, to monitor facility conditions and inmate welfare.

Creates a Corrections Oversight Committee to oversee the ombudsman selection and operations, composed of legislative members, formerly incarcerated individuals, healthcare professionals, and advocates.

Requires the ombudsman to conduct facility inspections with tiered safety and compliance classifications, issue annual public reports with findings and recommendations, and investigate inmate complaints through secure online forms and hotlines.

Authorizes the Director of Reentry and Supervision as an appointee of the Governor and adds this director to the Re-Entry Council Steering Committee to coordinate prisoner reentry strategies and reduce recidivism.