The Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) has announced the return of 30 inmates from an out-of-state facility in Mississippi back to Wyoming correctional institutions, K2 Radio reports.
This move marks a step in the department’s ongoing efforts to bring Wyoming inmates back under in-state supervision as staffing levels improve.
In November 2023, WDOC transferred 240 inmates to the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (TCCF) in Tutwiler, Mississippi, due to staff shortage at Wyoming’s correctional facilities. The department cited personnel vacancies as the primary reason for the temporary relocation.
As of now, 135 Wyoming inmates remain housed at the TCCF. WDOC officials stated that while staffing has not yet returned to full capacity, recent improvements have allowed them to begin the process of repatriation. The department emphasized its continued efforts to recruit and retain correctional staff with the ultimate goal of returning all remaining inmates to Wyoming.
The use of out-of-state facilities is not uncommon across the United States. Factors such as overcrowding, budgetary constraints, and specific inmate needs—including medical care or rehabilitation—often lead to the housing of inmates outside their home states. According to the Prison Gerrymandering Project, as of 2019, approximately 2% of state correctional systems housed inmates on behalf of other states, and it is not unusual for individuals to serve time in multiple locations.
