JFAC approves multiple Department of Corrections supplementals; body‑worn camera pilot fails to clear Senate panel

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28 considered a package of supplemental requests and FY2026 enhancements from the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC). Several large supplemental requests were approved to address capacity and security problems following an escape attempt in March 2024 and rising inmate population pressures.

Noah Peterson, budget analyst for JFAC, summarized five supplemental requests for fiscal year 2025. Key approvals included:

• Advanced surveillance technology (digital mail scanning, drone detection, phone transcription/analysis): $795,000 one‑time from the General Fund. The motion carried in committee (combined tally: 17 ayes, 3 nays; Senate Finance: 9–1; House Appropriations: 8–2). Peterson said the request responds to vulnerabilities identified after the March 2024 incident.

• Transport safety expansion (expand transport bureau to cover emergency inmate transports, 12 personnel, 7 vehicles and outfitting): $1,148,000 one‑time from the General Fund. Motion passed (combined tally: 15 ayes, 5 nays).

• Body‑worn camera pilot (year‑one costs for a three‑year federal grant pilot): total supplemental request $1,051,000 (approx. $27,000 General Fund and $1,024,000 Federal Funds in the initial supplemental). That supplemental passed in the House panel but failed to achieve a majority in the Senate Finance Committee (combined committee result: 12 ayes, 8 nays); JFAC noted the item will be sent to the full Senate for consideration despite failing to reach a Senate panel majority.

• County and out‑of‑state placement supplemental (difference between original appropriation and expected FY2025 expenditures to house inmates in county and out‑of‑state facilities): $5,939,400 one‑time from the General Fund. Motion passed (combined tally: 14 ayes, 6 nays).

• Medical services supplemental (population‑driven difference for FY2025 medical costs): $5,957,200 one‑time from the General Fund (note: committee corrected a typographical error during roll call to reflect the correct amount). Motion passed (combined tally: 17 ayes, 3 nays).

Analysts and lawmakers repeatedly pointed to population growth and facility capacity as drivers of the county and out‑of‑state placement costs. When Representative Tanner asked why inmates were spending extended time in county jails, Peterson said the causes are “multifaceted” but primarily population growth and a lack of space, especially on the women’s side; a new women’s prison was projected to open in 2028 or 2029 but is not yet available to relieve pressure.

Peterson also walked the committee through FY2026 enhancement requests tied to implementing the supplemental solutions: the surveillance and transport expansions carry ongoing costs; the body‑worn camera program requires a state match in FY2026–27; and population‑driven adjustments were requested for several divisions for FY2026 (medical services, county/out‑of‑state placement, community corrections). Several FY2026 enhancement packages passed the House panel but did not obtain a Senate Finance majority, meaning they will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Lawmakers instructed IDOC to provide further detail on program costs and staffing for transport expansion and surveillance implementations. The committee also asked for clarifications about timelines for facility openings and long‑term population projections.

The committee’s action sends multiple supplementals to the full Legislature with due‑pass recommendations; the body‑worn camera supplemental will require additional consideration in the Senate.