Corrections CIP highlights: $91.9M in FY26 for Baltimore therapeutic treatment center; women's pre‑release center delayed

The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) presented the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) capital program, noting planned capital expenditures of more than $1 billion through the CIP and $111.45 million budgeted for FY26. DLS said all project expenditures in the 2025 CIP are funded by GO bonds and prior authorizations and that the FY26 budget includes $91.9 million to complete design and begin construction on the Baltimore Therapeutic Treatment Center (BTTC).

DLS summarised multiple correctional facility projects programmed in the CIP: a Jessup regional electrical infrastructure upgrade that serves 120 buildings and suffered delays; perimeter fence replacement at Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI) prompted by storm damage and security concerns; replacement of the high‑temperature hot‑water system and perimeter security at Eastern Correctional Institution (Westover); and the BTTC, an 854‑bed multi‑purpose therapeutic, mental health and reentry facility DLS now estimates will cost $947,800,000 by completion (a $2.3M increase in the 2025 CIP). DLS noted the project’s history of substantial program, cost and scope changes and said the annual operating cost could approach the range of $100,000,000, with Medicaid reimbursements expected to subsidize part of operations but general funds expected to cover most ongoing costs. DLS asked DPSCS for an updated operating impact statement and a procurement update; DPSCS said construction contract award for BTTC is expected in October and the OIS will be finalized over summer 2025.

DLS then described delays and statutory concerns surrounding a new life skills and reentry center for women, mandated by Chapter 16 of 2021 to be operational by Nov. 1, 2023. DLS reported the project was initially intended for a 2–4 acre site but that site was not ready and encountered community opposition; a smaller DPSCS‑owned site at 717 Forest Street in Baltimore City was selected but is smaller and will require building vertically to meet program needs. DLS wrote that the project has been delayed for several reasons including the statutory timeline, site change, incomplete funding and slow agency progress; the DLS cost estimate rose to about $94 million and the project has been deferred to FY28 in the CIP. DLS emphasized potential statutory noncompliance risks, the impacts on programming available to women in pre‑release (Project Fresh), and the possibility that the proposed 64‑bed facility could be too small relative to demand (average pre‑release population was 82 in FY24 with a monthly high of 91).

Advocates from the Women’s Pre‑Release Coalition and civil‑rights groups urged the committee to prioritize the women’s center and to withhold other DPSCS capital funds until the pre‑release center is advanced. DPSCS testified it plans to proceed with the selected site, to use adjacent parking for outdoor space, and to proceed with design procurement in FY25 with construction expected in FY28 if the schedule holds. DLS recommended approving DPSCS authorizations and preauthorizations but requested further updates on timelines, the OIS, the BTTC procurement and concerns about perimeter security, deferred maintenance and heat/water emergency spending (DLS reported 53 heat/water emergencies in FY24 and 76 in FY25 to date costing over $16M).

DPSCS officials confirmed a design solicitation for the women’s center was posted in February and said the design award and notice to proceed is expected in September 2025. DPSCS also said consultants informed its bed forecast and the staffing model is preliminary and will be refined during design. The hearing record shows no formal vote on the presentation.