MS SB2779

Mississippi Department of Corrections authorized to conduct a 3-year pilot project beginning July 1, 2026, partnering with data analytics vendors to improve institutional safety, health outcomes, and staffing efficiency without requiring additional staff hires.

Pilot project capabilities include early detection of preventable medical emergencies, identification of overtime patterns, behavioral risk indicators for assaults and suicides, and Medicare eligibility tracking for inmates to reduce MDOC medical costs.

All inmate and staff data remains state property, with vendors required to comply with HIPAA and other privacy laws; personally identifiable data cannot be sold or used outside the pilot project.

MDOC must submit annual reports to legislative committees and the Legislative Budget Office documenting reductions in medical emergencies, emergency transports, overtime hours, and violent incidents, along with estimated cost savings.

The pilot project does not mandate permanent technology procurement or replace correctional staff, and the Legislature may terminate it early or expand it statewide based on evaluation results.