Legislative analysts flag medical-contract and staffing problems as DPSCS budget grows slightly for FY26

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) presented its fiscal 2026 budget to the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee, showing a roughly 1.2% increase to about $1.9 billion and renewed attention on medical contracts, staff vacancies, and overtime costs.

In an overview, Catherine Barber, a budget analyst with the Department of Legislative Services, said the fiscal 2026 allowance “increases by $22,600,000 or about 1% to $1,900,000,000” and described major cost drivers including personnel, contractual services and higher inmate health costs tied to a new vendor contract.

The panel's review focused on two central issues: problems identified in a November 2024 Office of Legislative Audits report about the previous medical contractor and the agency’s ongoing shortages of correctional officers and community supervision staff. Barber told the subcommittee that the audit found nine findings concerning medical contracts and procurements between April 2018 and December 2023, and noted that DPSCS moved from YesCare to Centurion in May 2024 for medical and mental‑health services.

Barber summarized audit concerns: the use of a fixed‑fee contract…