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Committee approves several Department of Correction contracts amid member concerns about vendor data practices
Summary
The Fiscal Review committee approved multiple Department of Correction contracts, including a victim‑notification system tied to a company acquired by Equifax and a large pharmacy services contract; members raised questions about data security and long‑term vendor lock‑in.
The Fiscal Review committee approved a package of Department of Correction contract amendments covering victim notification, pharmacy services, offender management support and inmate education programs.
Ashley Fuqua, legislative director for the department, described a new three‑year contract with APRS Insights LLC to host statewide victim notifications integrated with TDOC and 95 counties; the contract begins July 1, 2026. A senator asked how the department follows up with victims who do not register for notifications. Another member urged the committee to be mindful that APRS was acquired by Equifax in 2021 and reminded members of Equifax’s 2017 data breach involving tens of millions of Americans: "I just want to point that out that you know we are looking to contract with a company that's had some serious issues." Fuqua said victims must register to receive notifications and explained how the system works; the committee approved the contract by voice vote.
Fuqua also presented a one‑year extension and liability increase for Clinical Solutions, which operates TDOC’s central pharmacy and prescription‑filling services; the amendment increases maximum liability from around $14.8 million to approximately $29.2 million. The department said the physician‑staffing and pharmacy operations serve inmates statewide and that additional spending covers on‑site operations and medication purchases when the primary contracted provider cannot supply certain drugs. The amendment was approved by voice vote.
Members approved additional routine renewals, including a three‑month Deloitte extension for offender management support, an Edmentum renewal for inmate education services (raising max liability to $497,179.99), and a renewal for Retrieving Independence (service‑dog training) that raises maximum liability to $805,000. Committee members requested continued attention to vendor dependencies and cybersecurity risks when state systems rely on large vendors.
