Lawmakers warned of rising inmate counts; executive recommends staff and a new facility

Legislative fiscal staff told the House Appropriations Committee that inmate populations have been rising and that the executive recommendation includes new staff and a major capital facility proposal.

Alan Knudson reviewed trends: total inmate growth was roughly 7% between 2019–21, 9% for 2021–23 and an estimated 11% for 2023–25 going into the next biennium. He said Governor Burgum's recommendation included 42 new FTE overall for Department of Corrections operations, noting 27 of those positions were tied to capacities at the Heart River women's facility.

Sheila Sandness summarized capital recommendations in the executive book, including a roughly $127 million recommendation to construct a new facility at the Missouri River Correctional Center. Knudson and members acknowledged the upward trend in inmate counts is unsustainable absent reforms.

Representative Kempenek and Representative Hansen pressed whether reforms or off-ramp legislation are forthcoming. Representative Hansen said the governor's office and other lawmakers are considering near-term relief proposals for Department of Corrections and that representatives in the House will introduce bills to provide sentencing or supervision off-ramps aimed at reducing demand for prison and jail beds.

Why it matters: Corrections is a major area of growth in the general fund. Staff told the committee that without policy changes to reduce admissions or length of stay, corrections spending and bed capacity needs will continue to grow and drive future appropriations.

Sources: Alan Knudson and Sheila Sandness presentations, committee member remarks.