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Corrections leaders ask for more money as departments report contraband, vacancies and costly medical needs
Summary
The Department of Corrections told the House committee its FY27 request totals $902.3 million, citing major spending on medical costs, overtime and capacity increases; members pressed secretariat on inmate deaths, contraband and recruitment strategies.
The committee next reviewed the Department of Corrections’ FY27 executive budget recommendation, with Zion Wilson of House Fiscal reporting a $902,300,000 request that is 88.5% State General Fund. The presentation emphasized a $121.9 million year‑over‑year increase, driven by personnel services, increased capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary and interagency transfers for housing ICE detainees at Camp J.
Secretary Gary Westcott told the committee DOC’s higher budget request is aimed at meeting rising medical and overtime costs and addressing serious staffing shortages. He said 272 of the department’s vacancies are concentrated in several facilities, and that the department has used special recruitment pay differentials in targeted facilities.
Lawmakers pressed Westcott on recent reports of inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt Correctional. The secretary said most of the institution’s population has substance use histories and described an unusual pattern of deaths tied to inmates ingesting non‑drug chemicals. "They're dying from from chemicals that that they're ingesting," he said, and he tied those deaths to increased contraband pressure and staffing shortfalls that delay responses to medical incidents.
Westcott and assistant officials described work to fight contraband, including arrests of staff involved in smuggling and enhanced security measures. They also outlined efforts to expand vocational and reentry programs, citing the Second Chance Act and partnerships intended to improve employment prospects for people leaving custody.
Members asked whether pay increases would reduce the department’s $10,000,000 overtime exposure. Westcott said pay raises and recruitment efforts should reduce overtime but cautioned that FMLA and other unpredictable leave still create coverage needs.
On capacity, Westcott explained Camp J is being refurbished in phases while DOC negotiates housing contracts with the federal government; he said the timing and longevity of ICE housing contracts remain uncertain.
The committee requested more precise cost accounting from DOC — including an itemized estimate of what it costs the state from arrest through incarceration for a typical case — and a full breakdown of an estimated $15,000,000 operating request to lease and run a 56‑bed Vernon Parish facility the department proposed as a near‑term capacity relief option.
