Prince George's County Corrections proposes roughly $101.7 million FY2026 budget; vacancies remain a priority

The Prince George's County Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee reviewed the Department of Corrections' proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on April 21, 2025.

David Williams, budget analyst with the Budget and Policy Analysis Division, said the department's proposed total for FY26 is approximately $101,700,000, a decrease of $11,390,000 (about 1.4%) from FY25. Williams said the department is primarily funded from the county general fund; grant funds make up roughly 0.2% of the proposed budget. He presented a general breakdown that included proposed compensation of about $52,400,000, fringe benefits of $28,300,000, operating expenses of $19,700,000 and capital outlays of $226,500; overtime was listed at approximately $11,800,000.

Director Clark, head of the Department of Corrections, told the committee the department manages pretrial defendants and sentenced individuals serving terms of 18 months or less. Clark said the jail facility has 18 housing units and a capacity of 1,524 individuals and that programming includes drug treatment, cosmetology and barbering classes, library services and other programs intended to support reentry.

The department reported a sworn vacancy rate of 36.5%, a civilian vacancy rate of 40.6% and an overall vacancy rate of 37.5%. Williams said the staffing complement is unchanged from the previous fiscal year; OMB Director Stanley Early told the committee that while vacancies remain a major challenge they have improved over the last year and the department has reversed a prior decline in corrections officer staffing.

Director Clark and his leadership team identified critical operational issues including facility maintenance, overcrowding and succession planning. Williams noted the department anticipates acquiring one Toyota Camry (estimated cost $46,000) and said there are no other major equipment or IT initiatives planned. Major contracts for the incarcerated population include medical, food and tablet services.

Council members and committee staff praised recent recruitment and retention efforts; Vice Chair Fisher and others said they had attended graduating classes for new correctional officers. Councilmember Watson and other…