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DOC seeks $142.5 million increase as closures, staffing and tablet rollout reshape operations
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Summary
The Department of Corrections told the Appropriations panel it needs a $142.5 million increase largely for personnel costs, food and utilities while savings from two recent facility closures begin to materialize; DOC outlined staff transfers, plans to mothball Rockview, and a vendor-funded tablet rollout it says could reduce serious incidents.
The Department of Corrections told the House appropriations hearing it is seeking an increase of about $142.5 million for fiscal 2026–27 to cover wage and operating cost increases and to normalize operations after two facility closures.
The request centers on personnel and operating costs. Secretary Harry said roughly $85.7 million of the SCI fund increase is for salary and bargaining‑unit costs, including an estimated $8.76 million for correctional officers’ bargaining unit increases. He added roughly $5 million was included for rising food costs and $2.3 million for utility increases.
Why it matters: The committee pressed DOC on whether savings from the closure of two facilities would offset new costs. DOC reported that staff transfers — about 734 transfers — have allowed the department to hold positions and reallocate personnel; roughly 134 retirements were tied to the transition. Agency testimony quantified closure savings taken into next year but also outlined one‑time and mothballing costs for properties such as Rockview.
“We actually did 734 transfers of staff,” DOC testified, and the department said most inmates were moved this month and the facilities will be emptied by the end of the month. DOC plans to cold‑mothball Rockview and turn property to the Department of General Services after inventories and tours of usable equipment are complete.
DOC also described a vendor‑funded procurement to deliver tablets to every incarcerated person in custody. The department said it expects the procurement to be finalized this year and hopes to begin rollout between summer and fall. DOC described the contract as vendor‑funded: the vendor covers upfront costs and is reimbursed through messaging, phone time and digital purchases by incarcerated people.
Committee members pressed how the tablets will be monitored and whether they will affect contraband and violence. Secretary Harry said security monitoring is a major part of the procurement and that tablets, in other states, have been associated with reductions in serious incidents. DOC also described a violence‑reduction committee, expanded de‑escalation training and peer‑mentoring programs as part of a broader strategy to address rising serious incidents.
What’s next: The department said closure savings are being realized now as transfers complete, but that it will take about a fiscal year for personnel savings to normalize. The committee deferred further budget action pending additional data and follow‑up requests.
