South Mississippi Correctional Institution
Post Office Box 1419
Leakesville, MS 39451
(601) 394-5600
Superintendent's Fax (601) 394-4451
Records Dept. Fax (601) 394-4897
The South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI) was established in 1989. It is the state’s newest state prison and the first prison in the state to receive accreditation from the American Correctional Association. SMCI was also the first state prison in Mississippi to be accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. SMCI is located on 360 acres at Leakesville, MS in Greene County. There are 16 housing units at SMCI with a capacity of 2,684 beds.
SMCI houses male offenders who are classified to primarily A and B custody levels (minimum and medium security). SMCI also offers housing for approximately 140 offenders classified to C and D Custody level (maximum security). There are no female offenders housed at SMCI.
SMCI is the only state institution with a para-military “Boot Camp Program”. The Regimented Inmate Discipline Program seeks to divert offenders from criminal behavior and instill a work ethic by incorporating a variety of rehabilitative and treatment elements as well as community service work projects. The foundation for the RID Program is based on the premise of instilling discipline, respect for authority, and self-esteem through a tough, structured “boot camp” environment.
The RID Program consists of four phases lasting approximately five weeks each. There are eight treatment program components offered; five are mandatory and three optional. The mandatory components are: Discipline Therapy, Psychological Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Pre Release Counseling, and Aftercare Strategies. Adult Basic Education, Discipleship Study, and Community Service Work Projects are optional treatment components offered.
SMCI inmates provided more than 86,902 hours of free inmate labor during 2006 to adjacent municipalities and counties, as well as assisting other state agencies.
SMCI has converted 25 acres of vegetable farm land to the production of blueberries. Inmate Labor will be utilized in the harvesting and processing of the blueberries.
There are approximately 515 full time employees and postions available for part time employees at SMCI.
SMCI is divided into three areas:
AREA
WARDEN/ DEPUTY WARDEN
UNITS
SMCI I
Johnnie Denmark
Lockdown (Buildings 7 & 8), Bldg. 9, 10, 11, 12, R1, Vo Tech, Law Library, MPIC, Academic School, Regimented Inmate Discipline
SMCI II
James Johnson
Buildings A, B, C, D, E, Lockdown, Law Library, A & D Program, South Mississippi Medical Services
SMCI III
Joe Errington
Deputy Warden
Central Security, Emergency Response Team, K-9 Unit, Common Labor, Transportation, Central Kitchen, Recreation Departments, Armory.
Programs offered include:
Adult Basic Education
Alcohol & Drug
Inmate Legal Assistance
Pre-Release
Therapeutic Recreation
Religious Programs
Vocational Programs
The SMCI Educational Department offers both Adult Basic Educational and General Education Development Classes providing students access to a full-time counselor.
SMCI provides a short term (12 weeks) and a long term (six months) Alcohol and Drug Program providing individual and group counseling to offenders for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. The offenders participate in educational and skills building classes including the following: alcohol and drug education, relapse prevention, coping skills, life skills/post release, interview skills, anger and stress management, depression, anxiety problems, communication, and relationship skills. After successful completion, offenders are awarded a certificate of completion and processed out according to sentencing orders.
The SMCI Chaplains Department is primarily responsible for all religious activities that occur at the Institution. Some of the activities include regularly scheduled religious programs including Christian Worship Services, weekly Jumah Prayer Service, Communion Services, and Mass. Many Bible classes are offered whereby the inmates may study together and learn the principles of the Word of God. The inmates in Area I enjoy meeting in the beautiful new Chapel facility built by inmate labor and monies donated by individuals outside of the institution. In addition, the department has a pastoral and crisis ministry which includes spiritual guidance counseling during a crisis or grieving period, as well as marriage counseling and coordination of the marriage process of those incarcerated. This department is also responsible for interviewing, training, and supervision of volunteers.
The SMCI Vocational Technical Department offers five vocational education programs that will enable offenders to become productive citizens upon their release from this facility. These programs are Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Electrical, Plumbing and Pipefitting, and Welding. Program length for each program begins at approximately 1300 hours to 2650 hours.
Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation (MPIC) provides realistic work experience to adult offenders residing at SMCI by providing employment skills to manufacture their own clothing and clothing for other state agencies, resulting in a substantial revenue savings for the state. MPIC focuses on commitment to production of quality garments and meeting the customers' needs. Items manufactured include work shirts, T-shirts, thermal underwear, gym shorts, BDU pants and BDU jackets. Officer uniform shirts are also produced for the State of Mississippi and other agencies.
The SMCI Infirmary provides a full range of medical services to MDOC offenders housed in State and Regional Facilities in the Southern Region of Mississippi. These services include, but are not limited to, health care, dental, and psychological services.
Visiting an Inmate at CMCF
Approved Visitors
Under the age of eighteen, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Visitors fourteen and older will have photographic ID each time they wish to visit. Visitors will not be permitted entrance to the institution without photographic ID.
Individuals on probation or parole or other forms of conditional release will obtain the permission of both their program supervisor and the Superintendent prior to being allowed to visit
Unapproved Visitors
Individuals who have been convicted of a felony will be prohibited from visiting offenders except in those cases where immediate family relationships can be established.
Individuals who, through investigation, are believed to pose a threat to the offender or institution will be excluded from visitation.
A visit between an offender and the offender’s victim will not be permitted unless approved, in advance, in writing by the Superintendent.
Length and Frequency of Visits
Only the institution’s schedule, space, and personnel constraints or where there are substantial means to justify such limitation will limit the length and frequency of visits. It is the responsibility of the offender to notify his/her visitors of the days and hours of visitation.
“A” custody female offenders will be allowed to visit the first four Sundays of each month.
“B” custody female offenders will be allowed to visit two Sundays a month on alternate weeks.
“C” custody female offenders will be allowed to visit the second Tuesday of each month.
“A” custody male offenders will be allowed to visit the first four Saturdays of each month.
“B” custody male offenders will be allowed to visit two Saturdays a month on alternate weeks.
All approved offenders will be allowed to receive visitors from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on scheduled visiting days.
All visitors will be required to properly identify themselves with Visitor ID cards, drivers license, Military ID or State ID and will be required to register at the visitor registration desk.
All cars are to be parked in the assigned parking areas and are subject to search.
Visitors will not be allowed to maintain possession of their personal keys while in the visitation center.
Visitors will have no more than $20 in change for vending machines.
Visitors may bring cigarettes and/or tobacco products purchased from the institutional canteen.
Visitors will be allowed to bring prescribed medication into the institution only in the necessary dosage.
Visitors will leave wallets, purses, handbag, change purses, excessive clothing, etc., locked in their vehicles.
Visitors with infants may have 1 diaper bag, 2 diapers, 2 bottles of formula or juice, 1 pacifier, 1 infant receiving blanket and 1 change of baby clothes. Car seats, carriers and strollers are not allowed.
Visitors will have the top of the right hand stamped prior to entry into the visitation center.
Visitors are prohibited from trading or selling anything to a visitor.
Visitors will be dressed appropriately. No tank tops, see-through clothing, low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso, miniskirts or mini-dresses, or any form of seductive garments will be allowed.
Shorts and skirts must be no more than three inches above the knee. Visitors must wear full-length shirts (long or short sleeve). Shoes designated for street wear, including tennis shoes, must be worn. House slippers, beach sandals (i.e. thongs, flip-flops) and shower shoes are not permitted. Individuals improperly or inappropriately dressed shall not be allowed to visit.
A visit will be denied or terminated and visiting privileges suspended by the Superintendent or designee for any of the following circumstances:
If a visitor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If a visitor refuses to submit to a search
If a visitor refuses or fails to produce sufficient identification or falsifies identifying information
If a visitor violates institutional visiting rules
If a visitor fails to prevent children from acting in a disturbing and disruptive manner in the visiting area
If a visitor displays excessive physical contact with an offender
If in the judgment of the respective Unit Administrator, necessary order and security cannot be maintained, action will be taken to terminate the visit
If the visitor is improperly dressed
Warden James Holman
601-932-2880 ext 6250
jholman@mdoc.state.ms.us
Inmate Mail
Inmates may send and receive mail with exceptions. Exceptions include, but are not limited to:
Polaroid photos
Nude or sexual photos
Money Orders or copies of money orders
Packages
Hardback books
Food/hygiene/medical supplies
Writing material, stamps must be purchased from Canteen
All mail received must be received in a legal or letter envelope.
All incoming and outgoing mail shall be censored only if there is possible evidence of contraband, plans for criminal activity, instructions for the manufacture of weapons, drug, or drug paraphernalia, or alcoholic beverages, threatened blackmail or extortion, coded content not understood by the reader, or plans for activities in violation of MDOC rules.
Senders Name & Inmate Number
Current Housing Unit
Institution/Facility Address
City, State, ZIP
Inmate Name & MDOC Number
Institution/Facility Name
and must include a return address with the following information:
Senders Name
Current Address
Outgoing legal or official mail will be sealed by the offender and will not be opened unless a determination from visual/electronic inspection reveals the envelope may contain contraband.
EXCEPTIONS include:
Publications must be pre-paid soft cover back books (order limit of 3).
Subscriptions and newspapers must be sent from the publisher, distributor or vendor.
Pre-paid publications that depict homosexuality (same as recipient), sadomasochistic, penetration of body orifice, bestiality, and/or involving children.
Central Mississippi Correctional Facility
1. Inmate may receive Western Union Funds, Postal Money Orders, Bank (redeemable) Money orders, Cashier’s Checks, or Certified Checks. NO TRAVELER'S EXPRESS OR STORE MONEY ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Postal Money Orders are to be made payable as follows:
Pay to: MDOC
Address: PO Box 544 Jackson, MS 39205 Inmate’s name & MDOC #
Money orders with inmate’s name or number on the “Pay To” line will not be accepted.
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
JOHN DOE, MDOC NUMBER
PO BOX 544
JACKSON,MS 39205