JBC approves DOC pilot and $5.9M placeholder as contracted beds forecast rises

The Joint Budget Committee voted to fund a targeted pilot and to place contingency money on the table for the Department of Corrections after staff presented hiring and contracted‑bed scenarios.

JBC staff recommended a pilot at East Canyon Complex to add roughly 138.3 FTE targeted at reducing overtime and improving staffing stability; staff estimated a net cost of about $10.9 million in FY26‑27 and annualizing to roughly $13.3 million. Mr. Brackie, who presented the comeback packet, said the East Canyon Complex was a promising pilot site because its vacancy rate was lower and it could recruit more readily than other facilities.

Separately, staff described a forecast that could require up to 400 contracted beds by the end of FY26‑27, which would annualize to roughly $40 million per year if maintained for a full year. Committee members expressed concern about uncertain forecasts and the potential contractual obligations. Vice Chair Bridges proposed and the committee adopted a $5.9 million placeholder to give the administration runway to negotiate contracts and bring up beds as needed; the placeholder passed on a unanimous vote.

What happens next: the pilot funding and the placeholder will be reflected in the long bill; staff and the Department of Corrections will return with implementation details and potential supplemental timing.