HCS SCS SB 44 -- PRIVATE JAILS

SPONSOR:  Pearce (Hoskins, 121)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Corrections and Public Institutions by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding private jails.  In its
main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Specifies that a private jail is a facility not owned or
operated by the state, a county, or a municipality which confines
or detains prisoners;

(2)  Requires an employee of a private jail to report to the
supervisor of the jail when he or she has reasonable cause to
believe that a felony has been committed on the premises.  The
administrator of the private jail must report the felony in a
timely manner to local, state, or county law enforcement;

(3)  Requires jails, in the event of an escape, to promptly
notify the proper law enforcement agency and the State Highway
Patrol.  The private jail must provide all available information
regarding the escape and the escapee to law enforcement officers;

(4)  Requires prisoners to be separated by gender and cause for
incarceration;

(5)  Requires the jail administrator to arrange for necessary
health care services and provide adequate food, clothing, and
bedding;

(6)  Prohibits the inspection, control, or operation of private
jails by any law enforcement agency; and

(7)  Specifies that anyone failing to report a felony committed
in a private jail will be guilty of an infraction and subject to
a civil penalty of between $100 and $1,000.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that there are two private jails
operating in Missouri and the bill establishes guidelines for
them to follow to make them accountable.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Pearce; Missouri Catholic
Conference; and Missouri Sheriffs Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill provided information to
the committee.

Testifying on the bill was Woody Cozad, Integral Correctional
Consultants.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am