Puerto Rico corrections chief asks House finance panel for larger budget to cover payroll, health care and rehabilitation programs

San Juan — The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation asked the Puerto Rico House Committee on Hacienda on April 1 for additional funding to cover payroll, health care and rehabilitation programs as federal COVID-era (ARPA) supplements end and as the agency seeks to boost staffing and medical services.

Secretary of Correction and Rehabilitation Francisco Antonio Quiñones Rivera told the committee the department currently receives about $418,153,746 from the general fund and is seeking a larger budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. He said the request reflects recurring payroll needs after a $500 monthly supplement for custody staff — funded with federal ARPA dollars for several years — is set to expire June 30.

"Tengo el privilegio, el enorme privilegio de servir como secretario de corrección y rehabilitación," Quiñones told the committee as he opened the agency's presentation. He later described unannounced visits to institutions and said "cada vez que nuestros oficiales hacen registros en las instituciones no están buscando contrabando, están salvando vida."

Why it matters

The department said payroll is its largest budget item and that replacing nonrecurring ARPA funds with recurring local funds is the primary driver of its request. The agency also flagged health costs, including an administration priority to mass-test and treat hepatitis among people in custody and an ongoing evaluation of the private contract that provides medical services inside institutions.

Major details

- Current general-fund allocation: $418,153,746 (agency figure presented to the…