Ombudsman for Corrections highlights rising caseloads and requests additional staff in budget materials

Margaret Zadra, Ombudsperson for Corrections, briefed the committee on the ombudsman's statutory mission to review complaints at Department of Corrections facilities and licensed facilities and to publish reports and recommendations. Zadra emphasized the office's independence from the DOC and said the office handles complaints from incarcerated people, staff, and community members, and can pursue systemic issues as well as individual complaints.

The ombudsperson said complaint volumes have risen year over year as awareness of the office grows and that the complexity of cases and investigations has also increased. The office's current base budget is $1.1 million from the general fund supporting eight full‑time staff; the FY26 request in the presentation packet was listed as supporting seven FTEs and additional IT infrastructure costs (the packet described staffing as the primary cost driver). Zadra said the office prioritizes health, safety and well‑being matters, increases facility face time with open office hours, and uses informal recommendations to influence policy changes.

Representatives asked whether specific complaint types have decreased; Zadra cited improvements in grievance processes after earlier recommendations were accepted by the Department of Corrections. Members also queried whether the requested staffing funding included salary step increases or leave changes; Zadra clarified typical step increases and noted the presentation language had been imprecise when it referenced "leave increases."