Corrections budget spotlights staffing crisis, tablet program issues and slow roll‑out of reentry passport

The subcommittee heard a detailed DLS analysis and departmental response on the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ fiscal 2025 corrections budget, with sustained focus on staffing, the tablet computer program for incarcerated individuals, contract settlements and the reentry passport pilot.

DLS analyst Jacob Cash described a roughly $1.0 billion corrections budget, modest year‑to‑year growth and a continued upward trend in the incarcerated population. He highlighted multiple deficiency appropriations tied to retroactive or settlement payments, and showed that personnel costs and healthcare contract expenses are the largest elements of the budget. DLS also described a staffing study that suggested hundreds to thousands of additional positions are necessary to reach recommended staffing standards.

Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs acknowledged staffing and operational challenges, described steps to fill positions and defended the tablet program as largely successful in reducing agitation and improving access to programs. She said tech and facility limitations in older buildings complicate a uniform deployment and that the vendor and department work to minimize downtime. Scruggs confirmed DOL‑related payments remain in process and said remaining workers impacted by prior timekeeping practices will receive payments in the upcoming months.

Union witnesses and corrections staff, including AFSCME members and facility sergeants, told the subcommittee the department remains severely understaffed, cited frequent mandatory drafts and long forced overtime, described safety risks for staff and incarcerated people, and requested attention to recruitment, retention and equipment (for example, secure transport vehicles).

On reentry, DLS asked about the pace of the Reentry Passport rollout; DPSCS said pilots at several facilities are live, case managers are being trained, and the department aims for a broader rollout this fiscal year. The department also agreed to provide additional detail on tablet deployment, charging availability and cybersecurity safeguards, including use of alert words for intercepted communications.

The subcommittee asked for more data on overtime, hiring gaps, the status of the health care contract and the pending replacement for the medical services vendor. DPSCS committed to continuing to supply the requested implementation details and reporting.