Missouri lawmaker urges repeal of death penalty; clergy, defenders and exonerees’ advocates tell committee to abolish capital punishment Representative Jim Murphy presented House Bill 21-53 to repeal Missouri’s death penalty at a House Corrections and Public Institutions hearing. Supporters — including clergy, the state public defender and former corrections staff — cited wrongful convictions, staff trauma and higher costs of capital cases; the committee took testimony but did not vote.

A Missouri lawmaker is championing a bill to repeal the death penalty, citing its high costs and moral implications as compelling reasons for change.

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Senate committee backs SB 888 tightening minimum sentences, rejects vaccine‑status amendment The Senate Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions voted 9-7 to give Senate Bill 888 a "do pass" recommendation, advancing changes that raise minimum sentences and expand juvenile certification; an amendment that would have clarified vaccination status cannot alone prove child endangerment failed 8-8 after witness testimony and debate.

Missouri's Senate Committee just voted to tighten juvenile sentencing laws, raising concerns about the future of rehabilitation for young offenders.

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DOC budget hearing highlights staffing stipends, food‑service costs, health care and a $4M cut to pre/post‑conviction electronic monitoring Director Trevor Foley and budget director Susan Pulliam presented the Department of Corrections FY27 budget to the House Budget Committee, requesting NDIs for staff stipends (CERT and maximum/medium security), an increase to food service funding after inventory credits expire, ongoing healthcare costs including hormone replacement therapy under court order, and noting a proposed $4 million reduction to the pre/post‑conviction electronic monitoring appropriation.

The Missouri Department of Corrections is grappling with staffing shortages and rising food service costs while seeking crucial funding for health care and electronic monitoring programs.

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Missouri lawmakers press DOC and Centurion over staffing, penalties and mortality in prison health contract At an informational hearing, DOC Director Trevor Foley outlined the Centurion contract, projected FY26 spending of $212.6 million and a per‑offender daily rate of $22.67; community advocates and committee members raised staffing shortfalls, recurring penalties exceeding $3 million and called for greater oversight and mortality tracking.

Missouri lawmakers are demanding answers on staffing shortages and $3 million in penalties as they scrutinize the state's controversial prison health contract with Centurion Health.

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Department of Corrections receives $6.3M for new offender management system Department allocates funds for offender management system and employee retention support.

Missouri's Department of Corrections just secured $6.3M to revolutionize its offender management system and boost employee retention efforts!

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Missouri allocates $50M for county jail reimbursements and parole board funding Missouri Department of Corrections receives funding for parole, community supervision, and jail reimbursements.

Missouri's House Bill 9 is set to revolutionize the corrections system with a $50 million investment aimed at improving community supervision and addressing jail costs, but will it truly tackle recidivism?

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Department of Corrections allocates $28M for human services and facility operations Department of Corrections secures $28.3 million for human services and institutional operations.

Missouri's House Bill 9 aims to revolutionize the Department of Corrections with a $28.3 million investment for better facility operations and enhanced inmate services.

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Missouri Department of Corrections establishes new hiring policies for correctional centers Director mandates staff input in appointing chief administrative officers for correctional centers

Missouri's House Bill 774 could revolutionize correctional facilities by ensuring staff voices are heard in hiring top leaders, setting the stage for a more accountable and transparent system.

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