Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections It And Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DPSCS says IT projects delayed and home‑detention staffing remains a critical gap
Summary
DLS told the subcommittee DPSCS faces delays and procurement setbacks on major IT projects (Computerized Criminal History, EPHR) and the department reported contracting, vendor failures and a plan to rebuild some work in‑house; a correctional officer testified the home‑detention unit is severely understaffed and urged competitive wages.
DLS analyst Josh Weinstock outlined the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services administration budget and highlighted four core issues: rising contraband (notably weapons), IT projects behind schedule (the Computerized Criminal History project and the electronic patient health record replacement), financial settlement history with health contractor YesCare, and private home detention monitoring oversight concerns that led to suspensions of vendor licenses.
Weinstock recommended restricting or withholding funds pending reports about oversight of private home monitoring agencies, project progress for CCH and EPHR, and plans to minimize overtime and strengthen medical contract oversight. He said CCH was retooled from an on‑premise solicitation to a cloud approach that lost vendor participation, was canceled, and the department now intends an in‑house modernization with DoIT oversight; estimated completion horizons extended into the early 2030s for some elements.
Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs said the department agrees with many DLS recommendations, described an internal reassessment that will complete the 12 core CCH system updates by 2028, and noted the EPHR procurements failed to deliver customizable solutions (including an IBM engagement) and so the department is working with DoIT on alternate solutions. Scruggs defended settlements and paperwork for past medical contracts and said withheld budget language had been satisfied for some items.
In public comment, Olu Asheim Dada, a correctional officer sergeant and AFSCME Local 3661 member, said the Home Detention Unit has only 14 trained sergeants to cover the state, 11 of 35 funded positions are vacant, and intake freezes are occurring. He urged wage improvements to retain staff and avoid service gaps; the chair said the committee heard the concern and would work to address staffing issues.
