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Analyst: Corrections population growth and out‑of‑state placements drive a $31 million general fund increase
Summary
Budget analysts said the Department of Corrections' FY2026 request includes roughly $31 million driven by a 3.15% population growth rate, county and out‑of‑state placements, and rising medical contract costs; the committee asked DOC to provide counts and cost details at its scheduled budget hearing.
Committee member Heather Hart asked analysts to explain a $31 million suggested increase for the Department of Corrections in the FY2026 package. Noah Peterson, budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the $31 million reflects recent population growth and contract changes.
"What that $31,000,000 is indicative of is a 3.15% growth rate," Peterson said, adding the increase covers county and out‑of‑state placements and modest per‑diem increases for medical services. Peterson also said the analyst team has not identified a single cause for population growth and that the committee will get more detail during the DOC hearing next week.
Why it matters: out‑of‑state placements and county jail housing are substantially more expensive than in‑state beds. Committee members noted that bringing the state's women's prison online will relieve some pressure, but they asked staff to follow up with DOC to provide counts of inmates in county jails, out‑of‑state facilities and associated costs so the committee can evaluate options.
Additional risk: Bybee warned that the DOC inmate labor fund has been overspent and that recognizing the shortfall avoids immediate staff furloughs or layoffs; the committee will examine the corrections budget and the medical contract, which expires in September 2026 and may be rebid at higher cost.
Next steps: the Department of Corrections budget hearing is scheduled for January 26; staff will return with detailed counts and cost estimates for county and out‑of‑state placements and any changes to the medical services procurement.
