AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-40, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN OFFENDER WHO IS ON PROBATION AND PAROLE MAY BE AWARDED EARNED-DISCHARGE CREDIT IF HE OR SHE PARTICIPATES IN FAITH-BASED ACTIVITIES OR FAITH-BASED SPONSORED ACTIVITIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER FOR AN OFFENDER TO RECEIVE SUCH CREDIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Summary
House Bill 28 amends Mississippi’s earned-discharge statute for offenders on probation, parole, or post-release supervision. The bill keeps the existing monthly earned-discharge framework for compliant supervisees, under which days of supervision can be reduced for each full month of compliance, and adds a new pathway for reduction based on participation in faith-based activities or faith-based sponsored activities. Beginning July 1, 2026, an offender in probation, parole, or intensive supervision may receive 30 days of supervision reduction for each 30 days of qualifying participation.
The bill also requires documentation and reporting before the credit can be applied. A designated leader of the faith-based entity must submit a monthly report by the 15th day of the following month to the Department of Corrections, and the department is directed to adopt regulations to administer the program. The act takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to the earned-discharge process already used to determine when an offender’s supervision term is complete.
Impact
HB28 would amend Section 47-7-40 of the Mississippi Code to expressly allow faith-based participation to count toward earned-discharge credits for people on probation, parole, or intensive supervision. It would also formalize reporting requirements for faith-based organizations and require the Department of Corrections to create regulations for implementation. In practice, the bill could shorten supervision periods for eligible offenders who participate in approved faith-based programming, while leaving the broader earned-discharge system in place for all compliant supervisees.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support in the House, where the bill passed 110-4. No committee transcript is provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate detailed concerns or endorsements. Based on the vote margin and the bill’s passage as introduced in the House, the general sentiment appears favorable, with broad agreement on expanding supervision-reduction opportunities tied to rehabilitation and compliance.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s use of faith-based participation as a basis for reducing criminal supervision time. Supporters are likely to view it as a rehabilitation incentive and a way to reward constructive programming, while critics may question whether it creates preferential treatment for religious activity or raises church-state concerns. Another possible issue is administration: the bill relies on monthly reporting by faith-based leaders and Department of Corrections rulemaking, which could raise questions about verification, oversight, and equal access for offenders who do not participate in faith-based programs.
Relating to automatic orders of nondisclosure of criminal history record information for certain misdemeanor defendants following successful completion of a period of deferred adjudication community supervision.