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Corrections warns of multimillion‑dollar shortfall as staff vacancies, overtime and inmate medical costs rise
Summary
The Department of Correction told the Appropriations Committee that high overtime driven by more than 400 corrections‑officer vacancies, rising workers’ compensation cases and increased inmate medical and pharmaceutical costs have produced multi‑million dollar deficiencies that required FAC transfers.
The Connecticut Department of Correction told the Appropriations Committee a combination of staff vacancies, rising overtime, increased worker injuries and higher inmate medical costs has produced multi‑million‑dollar shortfalls that required transfers and administrative actions.
“On April 3 the Finance Advisory Committee approved transfers … to cover a projected deficit,” DOC officials said, describing a mix of personal‑services and operating shortfalls. The agency reported it had more than 480 correction‑officer vacancies and that a recent training class of 100 officers began the academy; additional classes are planned. In the meantime DOC said it relies on overtime to maintain minimum staffing. The commissioner also reported about 65 employees remained out on workers’ compensation for 30 days or more; in calendar 2024 more than 800 employees had workers’‑comp claims of varying duration.
Why it matters: Staffing shortfalls and high overtime increase per‑shift labor costs and are linked to higher workers’ compensation and recruitment pressures. Rising inmate medical utilization and prescription costs add another material expense to corrections budgets.
Details: DOC officials said FAC approved transfers of tens of millions of dollars to cover deficits in other expenses and inmate medical services; the agency cited utility, food and supplies inflation for non‑personnel shortfalls, and higher‑than‑expected inmate population and costly outpatient pharmaceuticals and specialty medicines for medical account increases.
Agency actions and next steps: DOC said it plans additional recruit classes, ongoing hiring, and to work with OPM and the committee on staffing and budgeting for the next fiscal year. Committee members asked DOC for a breakdown of recruitment, vacancy, overtime and workers’‑comp measures to better understand long‑term staffing needs and the agency agreed to provide data.
Ending: The committee did not vote; members asked for follow‑up data on overtime hours, vacancy trends, and workers’ compensation claims and their drivers.
