Administrative Office of Courts
Reentry Council to meet February 2 January 24, 2018 The Mississippi Reentry Council will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 in the Training Room at the Gartin Justice Building at 450 High Street in Jackson. The Council’s purpose is to create effective strategies to assist former inmates in their return to society, reduce recidivism, increase public safety and reduce budgetary restraints on the state prison system. Anyone interested in the Reentry Council’s mission may attend the meeting. The Council is expected to elect a chairman during this first meeting of 2018. U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett of Hattiesburg has served as chairman since the organization began work as an ad hoc group in December 2013. The 2015 Legislature passed a statute that formalized the Council. The Council at its Feb. 2 meeting is expected to discuss proposed legislation and its future priorities. Other Council members include Commissioner of Corrections Pelicia Hall, Attorney General Jim Hood, Department of Mental Health Executive Director Diana Mikula, Division of Medicaid Executive Director Drew Snyder, Mississippi Parole Board Chairman Steve Pickett, former inmate Roy Dixon, Department of Employment Security Director Mark Henry and Commissioner of Child Protection Services Jess H. Dickinson, who was appointed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. while Dickinson served on the court. The Council awaits the Governor’s appointment of a federal probation officer and the Lt. Governor’s appointment of someone from a faith-based organization involved in reentry programs. #### |
