JFAC approves management services funding for Department of Corrections including recidivism software and IT replacements

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 7 approved a package for the Idaho Department of Corrections’ management services division that adds funding for recidivism case-management software, transparency software, IT replacement and a special assistant U.S. attorney in Northern Idaho. Budget analyst Noah Peterson briefed the committee on the requested items: $1,000,000 ongoing for recidivism software; $668,100 for transparency software (a mix of ongoing and one-time components); $1,515,000 for IT replacement items recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services; $19,400 for replacement items; $1,800 for general inflation; and $85,000 ongoing to support a special assistant U.S. attorney in Northern Idaho as part of a governor’s initiative. Senator Galloway moved the package and Representative Handy seconded. The motion passed with a combined committee vote of 15 ayes and 5 nays and will carry a due-pass recommendation. Committee members said the recidivism software and transparency tools aim to improve case management and reporting; IT replacement items were presented as recommended by the state Office of Information Technology Services.