Bill > HB774

This bill establishes the Office of the State Corrections Ombudsperson, a new independent oversight body for the Missouri Department of Corrections. The office will have two primary sections: an inspection section and a complaints investigation section, with broad powers to monitor conditions in correctional facilities, investigate complaints, and ensure the rights and welfare of both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. Key provisions include creating multiple complaint submission channels (online forms, telephone hotlines), conducting annual facility inspections, producing public reports with recommendations, and establishing a Corrections Oversight Committee to help manage the ombudsperson's office. The bill requires the ombudsperson to be appointed by a diverse committee, provides confidentiality protections for complainants, and mandates that the department cannot retaliate against individuals who file complaints. The office will have significant access to department records and facilities, the ability to interview staff and inmates privately, and will be tasked with collecting and analyzing comprehensive data about conditions in correctional facilities, including information on staffing, programming, incidents of violence, and other critical metrics. The ultimate goal is to improve transparency, accountability, and humane conditions within Missouri's correctional system.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB774&year=2025&code=R