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Corrections department asks committee to approve security upgrades, visiting‑phone recording and other FY26 enhancements
Summary
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented a FY26 recommended budget that would increase overall spending and requested funding for a front‑lobby security scanner, recording for visiting phones, a kitchen sharps shadow board and other items; committee staff recommended approval.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Ben Stevenson told the Public Safety Committee on April 23 that the county executive’s FY26 recommended budget for corrections is roughly $95 million, an increase of about $11 million (13%) from FY25. "We will be… able to train and educate our staff versus farm out that culture to other agencies," Stevenson said, noting the department received approval from the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Academy to hold an on‑site training academy.
Why it matters: Council staff highlighted three security‑focused enhancements for committee consideration: (1) purchase of a front‑lobby x‑ray scanner to deter contraband ($142,000), (2) recording capability for visiting phones to support evidence review ($50,000), and (3) a kitchen tool shadow board to improve control of sharps and utensils after an American Correctional Association audit ($30,000). Committee staff recommended approval of these enhancements and the Justice Center CIP expenditure timing change.
Key details: OMB and DOCR staff described additional budget drivers: a requested net increase of $222,000 for programmatic and staffing enhancements, $11.8 million for compensation adjustments and required operating expenses (including overtime), and two structural deficit adjustments of $680,000 each to cover food services and pharmacy inflation tied to higher average daily population. DOCR also spoke about a required pretrial risk assessment revalidation slated for 2026 ($40,000) and a 3% inflation adjustment for nonprofit service providers ($33,000 requested for this NDA; the countywide total was $4.6 million).
On overtime, DOCR reported FY25 overtime spending has exceeded FY25 budgeted amounts; the recommended FY26 overtime budget would be $9.4 million (up from the approved FY25 overtime but reflecting adjustments and prior year changes). The department also proposed a Justice Center CIP schedule change that shifts spending from FY27 to FY28 for affordability without increasing total project cost.
What the committee did: Committee members expressed support for the security enhancements. Staff recommended approval of the three security enhancements, the nonprofit provider inflation adjustment as a countywide item, and the CIP amendment; the committee indicated agreement during the work session.
Context and next steps: Committee staff said the lapse adjustment and elimination of FY25 one‑time items would not hinder hiring. The committee took no final appropriation vote at the work session beyond recommending approval to full council for the items described; staff will carry the recommended positions and enhancements forward as part of the FY26 budget process.
Ending: Committee members thanked DOCR staff for the briefing and signaled support for the recommended security and operational items.
