15PBJA23GG00285BRND

As a state governmental agency serving adult offenders in the state of Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) is submitting this application in response to BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. This opportunity furthers the agency's mission to enhance public safety by providing secure facilities and ensuring a safe and professional work environment for staff while bringing accountability, innovation, and fiscal responsibility to the citizens of Mississippi.

In recent years, the number of correctional officers employed with the agency has decreased resulting in staffing shortages which diminishes the level of security for offenders, as well as for staff assigned to work in facilities. Research indicates that contraband within the system among offenders appears to be positively related to circumstances in which there is prison overcrowding and understaffing. As correctional budgets continue to decrease and resources are further diminished, there is an alarming concern for correctional systems' ability to adequately prevent, detect, and respond to contraband within its facilities. Mississippi shares the growing concern for the safety and protection of its prison population and the need for additional officers.

The purpose of this project is to improve security at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF), MS Parchman (MSP), Marshall Correctional Facility (MCF), Walnut Grove Correctional Facility (WGCF), Delta Correctional Facility (DCF), and South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI) by utilizing a video surveillance system to reduce the likelihood of contraband and even deaths within the facility. MDOC's assessment of prison identifies the need for additional security measures to ensure safety and control, which includes the prevention, detection, and response to acts involving contraband or violence by inmate-on-inmate or staff-on-inmate.

The proposed technology system will provide additional security by having the ability to monitor inmates and staff with the capability of system notification. The most judicious decision to increase the agency's ability to provide the necessary increase in supervision and monitoring, considering the shortage of staff, is to deploy a video monitoring system to protect inmates against abuse.

Mississippi Department Of Corrections

AUTHORIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 THE CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED AWARDS PROGRAM PROVIDES BYRNE DISCRETIONARY GRANT FUNDING TO PREVENT CRIME, IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PROVIDE VICTIM SERVICES, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES. FUNDS MUST BE USED FOR THE PROJECTS DESIGNATED BY CONGRESS, IN THE AMOUNTS SPECIFIED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT, AND GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING STATUTORY PURPOSES: IMPROVING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PREVENTING OR COMBATING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, OR ASSISTING VICTIMS OF CRIME (OTHER THAN COMPENSATION). IN ACCORDANCE, FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR LUXURY ITEMS, REAL ESTATE, OR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

16.753 - Congressionally Recommended Awards

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) [DOJ - OJP]

Jackson, Mississippi 39201-1404 United States

Single Zip Code

BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program (O-BJA-2023-171577)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 06/30/25 to 06/30/26.