State corrections officials seek major budget increases for offender tracking, facilities and pay

State Department of Corrections officials told a state appropriations subcommittee they are seeking larger appropriations for information systems, repairs and staff pay, including a request for $14 million to replace the agency's offender-tracking system and $41 million for Central Mississippi Correctional Facility operations in fiscal 2026.

Commissioner Kane said the department has increased hiring since 2020, rising from 682 employees to 1,139, a gain of 457, and reported a current inmate population of 17,593. "We spent a total of $73,980,454.31 at Parchman so far," Kane said, adding that a renovated 56-bed death row unit will be occupied on Feb. 15 and that the work cost about $14,000,000.

Derek, identified in the hearing as a department budget official, described the agency's near-term funding needs. "Our appropriation for the year was $36,000,000. We're already expended $22,000,000 with remaining appropriations for the next 6 months for Central Mississippi ... of $14,000,000," he said, and added: "We're requesting $41,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to cover the impact that we're having right now." Derek also said the department's overall original budget request was about $500,000,000 and that…