For purposesof this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribedherein unless the context shall otherwise require:
"Adult"means a person who is seventeen (17) years of age or older, or anyperson convicted of any crime not subject to the provisions of theyouth court law, or any person "certified" to be triedas an adult by any youth court in the state.
"Board"means the State Parole Board.
"Parolecase plan" means an individualized, written accountabilityand behavior change strategy developed by the department in collaborationwith the parole board to prepare offenders for release on parole atthe parole eligibility date. The case plan shall focus on the offender'scriminal risk factors that, if addressed, reduce the likelihood ofreoffending.
"Commissioner"means the Commissioner of Corrections.
"Correctionalsystem" means the facilities, institutions, programs and personnelof the department utilized for adult offenders who are committed tothe custody of the department.
"Criminalrisk factors" means characteristics that increase a person'slikelihood of reoffending. These characteristics include: antisocialbehavior; antisocial personality; criminal thinking; criminal associates;dysfunctional family; low levels of employment or education; pooruse of leisure and recreation; and substance abuse.
"Department"means the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
"Detention"means the temporary care of juveniles and adults who require securecustody for their own or the community's protection in a physicallyrestricting facility prior to adjudication, or retention in a physicallyrestricting facility upon being taken into custody after an allegedparole or probation violation.
"Dischargeplan" means an individualized written document that providesinformation to support the offender in meeting the basic needs identifiedin the pre-release assessment. This information shall include, butis not limited to: contact names, phone numbers, and addresses ofreferrals and resources.
"Evidence-basedpractices" means supervision policies, procedures, and practicesthat scientific research demonstrates reduce recidivism.
"Facility"or "institution" means any facility for the custody,care, treatment and study of offenders which is under the supervisionand control of the department.
"Juvenile,""minor" or "youthful" means a person lessthan seventeen (17) years of age.
"Offender"means any person convicted of a crime or offense under the laws andordinances of the state and its political subdivisions.
"Pre-releaseassessment" means a determination of an offender's abilityto attend to basic needs, including, but not limited to, transportation,clothing and food, financial resources, personal identification documents,housing, employment, education, and health care, following release.
"Specialmeetings" means those meetings called by the chairman withat least twenty-four (24) hours' notice or a unanimous waiverof notice.
"Supervisionplan" means a plan developed by the community corrections departmentto manage offenders on probation and parole in a way that reducesthe likelihood they will commit a new criminal offense or violatethe terms of supervision and that increases the likelihood of obtainingstable housing, employment and skills necessary to sustain positiveconduct.
"Technicalviolation" means an act or omission by the probationer thatviolates a condition or conditions of probation placed on the probationerby the court or the probation officer.
"Transitionalreentry center" means a state-operated or state-contractedfacility used to house offenders leaving the physical custody of theDepartment of Corrections on parole, probation or post-release supervisionwho are in need of temporary housing and services that reduce theirrisk to reoffend.
"Unitof local government" means a county, city, town, village orother general purpose political subdivision of the state.
"Riskand needs assessment" means the determination of a person'srisk to reoffend using an actuarial assessment tool validated on Mississippicorrections populations and the needs that, when addressed, reducethe risk to reoffend.