Corrections director says state will need phased construction to close bed gap; MRCC redesign cut cost nearly in half

Colby Braun, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, briefed the committee on multiple corrections construction projects and statewide capacity needs.

Braun said the Heart River Correction Center (women’s facility) is under construction with completion targeted Sept. 22, 2027, and that staffing plans are in development. He described man camp bids coming in over budget and noted schedule slippage for occupancy.

On larger state planning, Braun reviewed earlier MRCC cost estimates and said design revisions reduced an initial ~$500 million concept to approximately $263 million by altering unit layouts and increasing dorm‑style housing in minimum custody areas. "We went from 500,000,000 and now we're at $263,000,000," he said. Braun emphasized tradeoffs required to reach the lower cost and the importance of preserving program space and green areas for rehabilitation and vocational work.

The department is also studying options for James River Correction Center (JRCC) campus planning and central plant capacity; Braun said the central heating plant and maintenance staffing are critical constraints and that county jail partnerships will remain necessary in the near term. He warned the state will still be short of beds even if the proposed 600‑bed MRCC expansion is completed, and that staffing shortages limit how many beds the state could safely operate.

Lawmakers asked about recidivism research on housing density, safety, and programmatic outcomes; Braun said he would gather comparative research and data for the committee. No votes were taken.