Video: Prison Reform Bill on Awaits Action from the Governor

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JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) — A bill designed to improve efficiency and cost of Mississippi prisons now sits on Governor Phil Bryant’s desk. Both the Senate and the House agreed to send House Bill 585 to the governor’s desk, but the process wasn’t an easy one. Both chambers had passed a version of the bill Monday, but it was put on hold and sent back for more negotiations.

Lawmakers have expanded drug trafficking provisions to add penalties for suspects convicted of having at least a kilogram of marijuana. Punishment would be 10 to 40 years in prison. Until now, those people were prosecuted for possession of an illegal substance, rather than drug trafficking. This is one of several measures passed during this legislative session designed to put a finer point on sentences and jail time.