Interim corrections chief warns of staffing, overtime and medical-cost pressures amid $10 million move

The Fiscal Committee on June 20 approved budget action FIS 25 1 51 for the Department of Corrections and heard extended discussion about staff shortages, layoffs and medical costs.

John Scipa, the interim commissioner of the Department of Corrections, told the committee that the department’s request and current spending pressures were driven by staffing shortages, post-budget collective bargaining pay increases and heavy overtime use. “The layoffs that were just, and actually they haven't been executed fully, but those layoffs have been noticed based on the proposed budget,” Scipa said, adding that 18 employees have received preliminary layoff notices pending final budget approvals.

Scipa said the department had relied on double-time pay for some correctional officers to meet minimum staffing levels. Lisa Stone, who oversees finances for the department, told the committee, “It was negotiated in this collective bargaining that every uniform officer gets double time for any overtime work.”

Committee members asked about whether lower inmate populations had reduced staffing needs. Stone said the department was able to close one section of a housing unit and that closure reduced the number of forced overtime shifts, but she added the department remained short-staffed overall.

Scipa and committee members also discussed medical and pharmaceutical spending. Representative Leishman cited figures he had seen—about 99 inmates being treated for hepatitis C at an annual cost approaching $1 million—and asked why those costs were not better anticipated in the budget. Ben Carboni, the department’s chief pharmacist, explained the cost drivers: reinfections, treatment failures and the need for more expensive follow-up medications can increase per-patient expense over time. “Sometimes, we even end up having to treat those individuals more than once,” Carboni said.

Scipa warned that the department’s reduced staffing and budget pressures could expose the state to litigation tied to statutory and constitutional obligations: “Their inability through reduction in staffing or budget could potentially lead to negative impact to the state of New Hampshire with regard to litigation,” he said.

The committee moved and approved FIS 25 1 51 on a motion by Senator Gray, seconded by Representative Leishman. The item passed on a voice vote. Later the committee approved two related items, FIS 25 1 52 and 25 1 53, also by voice vote.

Scipa said he was serving temporarily while the governor’s office searches for a permanent commissioner; his stated role was to maintain day-to-day operations and identify areas needing attention for the incoming commissioner’s review.

Committee members pressed for oversight on overtime and health-care costs and asked for continued reporting as the department moves through the budget and implementation cycle.