Senate Finance reviews House Bill 5076 and DOC recidivism report as staffing, programs and capital needs draw scrutiny

The Senate Committee on Finance on March 25 heard testimony on House Bill 5076, “an act making appropriations for support of the state for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026,” concerning supplemental FY2025 and FY2026 funding for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC). Director Wayne Salisbury told the committee the department is operating within the governor's revised budget but continues to face major fiscal pressure from overtime costs tied to staffing shortfalls.

Why it matters: the department reported roughly 90 correctional-officer vacancies, ongoing overtime expenses, and capital needs that the agency says are essential for security and habitability. Lawmakers pressed the DOC on how its budget requests and program investments relate to recidivism outcomes, staff recruitment and long-term savings proposals.

—"The department is federally mandated to ensure the incarcerated individuals have a clean, safe environment, as well as sufficient food and medication," Salisbury said, arguing the budget must cover per-diem medical and basic living costs. He told senators the DOC's second-quarter projections show the agency remaining within the governor's revised spending plan, but said overtime driven by vacancies, workers' compensation and retirements remains the department's largest fiscal concern.

Salisbury said roughly 300 uniform staff are eligible for retirement in coming years and described recent hiring: earlier classes this fiscal year produced cohorts that included graduated class sizes of roughly 41, about mid-20s in…