FY 2023 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds

The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) will use the PREA Reallocation funds to purchase and install security cameras at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP). MDOC will utilize this equipment to adhere to the directives identified in the last PREA. MDOC has committed to a zero-tolerance policy against rapes, sexual assaults, and sexual harassment within the corrections system. As they strive to provide a safe environment for inmates, this system will provide MDOC staff with the ability to enhance efforts in the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes related to sexual misconduct.
The purpose of this project is to enhance security measures in the Mississippi State Penitentiary to provide a safer environment and provide additional protections against sexual assault in the prison. It is becoming a national standard that confinement facilities are utilizing technology to augment staff monitoring ability. By providing surveillance cameras in and around the housing and common areas, deterring, detecting, and investigating sexual assaults will be done more effectively. The installation of cameras will aid in removing the blind spots which are caused by the physical structures inside the unit. This will give the officer working in the tower, often the only correctional staff who is available to monitor the inmates, the ability to see areas which they otherwise would not have been able to view. These cameras will also serve as a deterrent against sexual assaults and other crimes being committed as the inmates will be able to see the camera. Finally, with the ability to record and review footage, investigators will be able to determine the validity of an allegation and determine suspects more efficiently. The targeted outcome for this project is to reduce the number of sexual and physical assaults that occur within Mississippi State Penitentiary. This outcome will be measured by comparing assault data prior to the completed project with assault data post completion.