Vermont DOC requests $230.8 million for FY26; cites vacancies, overtime and new Medicaid reentry waiver

Kristen Calvert, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections, told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 27 that the agency’s FY26 budget request totals $230,800,000 and is roughly 95 percent general fund. She said the request is driven primarily by collective‑bargaining enhancements, annualization of salary and benefit costs, and negotiated increases in contracted health services.

Calvert said the department has roughly 1,125 position numbers and that facilities are carrying a 17.2 percent vacancy rate; vacancy‑related overtime has driven a 20 percent increase in overtime costs over five years. "This is a direct correlation to the vacancy rates that we've experienced," Calvert said.

Why it matters: The DOC budget request focuses on labor‑cost drivers and population management, including use of out‑of‑state contracts for some individuals, expansion of pretrial services pilots, and an 1115 Medicaid waiver the department said will allow Medicaid coverage 90 days before release and postrelease care management beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Calvert outlined the department’s population, facilities and program context: Vermont operates six in‑state…