Committee hears Correctional Industries expansion plans and rising prison occupancy; state to provide occupancy data

During the Aug. 6 State Budget Committee meeting, members questioned Indiana Correctional Industries (ICI) and Department of Correction officials about planned facility work and current prison occupancy.

Representative Gregory Porter asked whether ICI would begin working with private clients for vehicle wrap services if the proposed new building is constructed. Director Lindsey Ellison said ICI’s existing client base is primarily police departments and other emergency services but that expansion to other clients could occur with the new facility. The proposed vehicle-wrap building was described as about 2,400 square feet and climate controlled.

Representative Ed DeLaney asked about occupancy at state prisons and whether expected housing of federal prisoners at the Miami Correctional Facility would increase state costs. Director Kevin Orme, the Executive Director of Construction Management, said he did not have operational cost figures but that the State is responsible for maintaining entire facilities regardless of occupancy and that the State has roughly 1,000 beds ready for occupancy. Orme agreed to provide the committee with a report on occupancy rates across the system and specifics for the Miami facility.

Why it matters: planned expansions to ICI operations could increase revenue or change client mixes, while rising occupancy and proposals to house federal prisoners have operational and potential budget implications. Committee members requested documentation to assess potential cost impacts.

Next steps: DOC will provide occupancy-rate figures and any additional operational cost detail available to the Budget Committee.