Governor Reeves signs bill to allow non-violent inmates to work in the community

Signed into law today in Mississippi is an expansion of a program allowing non-violent inmates to take on jobs during the final year of their sentence.

Governor Tate Reeves signed the bill that allows for 25 individuals at a time to participate in the program that will help inmates as they reintegrate back into the community.

The pilot program was launched in 2021 by Rankin County and is being expanded to Harrison and Lee counties.

Inmates in the program will be able to maintain a bank account. Up to 25 percent of the bank funds help to pay off existing fines, restitution, and fees and to pay support of dependents.

Upon release, the inmate will have full access to that account.