Committee approves corrections supplementals and several FY2026 enhancements after safety and capacity debates

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28 approved a package of supplemental requests and fiscal 2026 budget enhancements for the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) focused on security upgrades, transport capacity and population-driven medical and placement costs.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee several requests were prompted by an April 2024 security incident and by continued population pressure in the custody system. "This request...comes as a result of the shooting and escape attempt that came in March of 2024," Peterson said, describing the agency’s push for technology and personnel to address vulnerabilities uncovered by that incident.

Supplementals approved for fiscal 2025 included: - Advanced surveillance technology: one-time $795,000 from the general fund for digital mail scanning, drone detection and phone-call transcription/analysis (motion passed; Senate 9–1–1 absent excused; House 8–2; combined 17–3). - Transport safety expansion: one-time $1,148,000 from the general fund to expand the transport safety bureau, add 12…