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 personnel and seven vehicles (motion passed; combined Senate and House 15–5). - County and out-of-state placement: one-time $5,939,400 from the general fund to cover higher-than-budgeted housing costs in county jails and out-of-state beds (motion passed; combined 14–6). - Medical services supplemental to cover updated population projections: one-time $5,957,200 from the general fund (committee corrected a transcription typo during roll call; motion passed; combined 16–3 with one absence recorded).

The body-worn camera pilot supplemental drew the most procedural attention. The July supplemental included $1,051,000 total (approximately $27,000 GF, $1,024,000 federal) to buy cameras, docking stations and first-year licenses as year one of a three-year pilot. The House Appropriations members approved the motion, but the Senate Finance side was tied 5–5, so the committee did not achieve the Senate majority required by the joint committee process. The chair noted the motion "achieved a majority in the House Appropriations Committee but failing to achieve a majority in the Senate Finance committee, the bill will be sent to the Senate." (motion did not carry across both chambers of the joint committee.)

Committee members repeatedly tied supplementals and enhancements to capacity and the state’s existing facilities. Representative Tanner asked why inmates were held longer in county jails; Peterson cited a lack of space and a growing population, particularly on the women’s side, and noted a new women’s prison is projected to open in 2028–2029.

For fiscal 2026, the committee considered and voted on multiple enhancement packages for IDOC divisions. Notable outcomes: - State prisons division FY2026 enhancements (ongoing costs for advanced surveillance, transport expansion, body-worn camera state match, contracted snow removal, replacements and IT upgrades): committee approved the package (combined tally 13–6–1 absent) and recommended due pass. - Management services package (case-management and transparency software, training equipment, IT replacements, a governor initiative for a U.S. attorney special assistant): the House approved but the Senate did not reach a majority; committee sent the items to the Senate for further action. - County and out-of-state FY2026 population-driven adjustment ($4,527,900 GF): approved by both bodies and recommended due pass. - Community corrections FY2026 items (Pocatello Community Reentry Center annualization, inflation and replacement items): House approved but the Senate did not reach majority; the matter will proceed to the Senate.

Representative Handy, who moved several of the corrections motions, emphasized security and transport readiness. Peterson and lawmakers described the broader driver as population growth and capacity constraints rather than policy changes.

Why it matters: The committee’s votes add millions in one-time and ongoing general-fund costs tied to jail/prison capacity, safety technology and medical services. Several items address urgent operational shortfalls for FY2025; others will increase FY2026 base costs if enacted.

What’s next: Items that had majority support in both chambers will be forwarded with a due-pass recommendation to the respective floors; items that failed to secure a Senate majority will be returned to the Senate for further consideration, per joint committee procedure.