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I Didn't Know That: Mississippi's Restitution Centers

​DOC’s restitution center program provides an alternative to incarceration for minimal risk offenders who are in need of a more structured environment. Residents serving time in a restitution center are referred to as residents. Residents who qualify for the restitution center program are required to work and pay full or partial payments to crime victims. Residents also have to pay room and board fees ($10 per day), court fees and establish a savings account. Residents are required to serve a minimum of 40 hours of free community service.

MDOC currently has four restitution centers located in Hinds County (Jackson), Jackson County (Pascagoula), LeFlore County (Greenwood) and Rankin County (Flowood). Each restitution center houses about 62 residents.

How does a resident get assigned to a restitution center? Offenders can be classified to a restitution center 3 ways:

  • Sentenced out of inmate status prior to completion of their sentence

  • Sentenced directly by a judge

Candidates are screened for acceptance to the program prior to sentencing. In addition, several criteria must be met. They include:

  • Offenders must be a first time offender

  • Offenders must not have drug, alcohol or emotional problems so serious that he appears unlikely to be able to meet the obligations of the restitution sentence

  • Offenders must be in good mental and physical health

  • Offenders must be employable

  • Offenders must have a sincere desire to participate in the restitution program

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2013 Mississippi Code Title 99 - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Chapter 37 - RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES § 99-37-19 - Restitution centers

Universal Citation: MS Code § 99-37-19 (2013)

The boards of supervisors of the several counties and the governing authorities of municipalities are hereby authorized to cooperate with the Department of Corrections in the establishment of restitution centers. Such centers may house both probationers referred by the circuit courts as well as inmates transferred from other facilities of the Department of Corrections as provided in Section 47-5-110; and may house those contemnors referred by the courts for failure to pay child support.

In order to qualify for placement in a restitution center, an offender must: (a) be convicted of a nonviolent offense that constitutes a felony, (b) not be convicted of a sex crime, and (c) not have drug, alcohol, emotional or physical problems so serious that the offender appears unlikely to meet obligations of the restitution program.

Such centers shall be operated by the Department of Corrections. County or municipal property may be utilized with the approval of the board of supervisors or municipal governing authority for the construction, renovation and maintenance of facilities owned by the state or a local political subdivision. Such facility may be leased to the Department of Corrections for a period of time for use as a restitution center.

It is the intent of this section that county and local governments contribute only to the establishment, renovation and maintenance of the physical plant of a restitution center and that the Department of Corrections support the operation of, and have sole jurisdiction over and responsibility for offenders in, such restitution program.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Mississippi may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.


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