217.015.  Divisions created — sections authorized — purpose of department — women offender program established, purpose — advisory committee established, membership, purpose. — 1.  The department shall supervise and manage all correctional centers, and probation and parole of the state of Missouri.

  2.  The department shall be composed of the parole board and the following divisions:

  (1)  The division of human services;

  (2)  The division of adult institutions;

  (3)  The division of probation and parole; and

  (4)  The division of offender rehabilitative services.

  3.  Each division may be subdivided by the director into such sections, bureaus, or offices as is necessary to carry out the duties assigned by law.

  4.  The department shall operate a women offender program to be supervised by a director of women's programs.  The purpose of the women offender program shall be to ensure that female offenders are provided a continuum of gender-responsive and trauma-informed supervision strategies and program services reflecting best practices for female probationers, prisoners and parolees in areas including but not limited to classification, diagnostic processes, facilities, medical and mental health care, child custody and visitation.

  5.  There shall be an advisory committee under the direction of the director of women's programs.  The members of the committee shall include the director of the office on women's health, the director of the department of mental health or a designee and four others appointed by the director of the department of corrections.  The committee shall address the needs of women in the criminal justice system as they are affected by the changes in their community, family concerns, the judicial system and the organization and available resources of the department of corrections.