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Corrections budget keeps rehab focus; subcommittee grants one k‑9 team, seeks cost data for programs including tattoo removal
Summary
The appropriations subcommittee increased county hold reimbursements and approved a limited corrections package focused on rehab programming and equipment, approving one k‑9 team while reserving decision on the DOC’s full request for four teams and a proposed tattoo‑removal program.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) presented an HB2 package focused on operations, rehabilitation programming and targeted provider rate increases. The House Appropriations Section D subcommittee approved an 8.2% increase above the 2025 base for DOC, increased county jail‑hold reimbursement caps and approved selected provider rate increases and equipment authority; the panel reserved fuller decisions on a four‑team canine program and a proposed tattoo‑removal initiative.
Why it matters: DOC operates Montana State Prison and the Montana Women’s Prison and contracts with private or local providers when capacity is exceeded. The committee sought clearer data on program costs and outcomes so appropriators can judge which rehabilitation offerings meaningfully reduce recidivism.
Key items: The subcommittee raised the baseline county jail‑hold reimbursement level to 350 holds (from around 250) to reflect a higher number of inmates in county custody at any given time. DOC asked for a 4‑team K‑9 program to support statewide searches and supervision; the subcommittee funded one k‑9 team in the base package but indicated it will consider an amendment on Monday to either restore all four teams or remove the request because a single team would not meet the agency’s stated statewide deployment needs. DOC said the k‑9s would be placed in Billings, Great Falls, Missoula and Kalispell and used across facilities and parole supervision as needed.
Rehab and costs: The committee spent an extended period on DOC’s rehabilitation and programming line items because members wanted a clearer output/cost framework. Chair Nave said the subcommittee’s goal is to know “what am I getting for my money” by calculating costs per student and per program. DOC reported preliminary steps to calculate a cost‑per‑student figure for at least one program and said it will continue that work so the legislature can compare program costs and outcomes.
Tattoo removal: DOC requested funding for a tattoo‑removal program the chair described as a recidivism‑support measure used in other states where gang‑related tattoos can impede reintegration; the subcommittee removed that program from the package pending further data, noting it wanted to see clearer outputs and evidence that state funds would be well spent.
Other items: DOC received partial approvals for vehicle replacements and technology upgrades through Montana Correctional Enterprises, a two‑percent pre‑release center rate increase (one time) because of an RFP gap, and a request to make certain departmental authorities biennial. DOC asked the committee to consider biennial appropriation authority because of programmatic needs that cross fiscal years.
Next steps: DOC will either work with sponsors to restore the full canine request or see it removed; the agency will continue to produce cost‑per‑program metrics and has one‑time and biennial authority amendments pending for executive action.
