Many governors and state legislators are finding it difficult to strike a balance between significant investments in public safety and growing expenses and declining income when they draft their remedial budgets for the current and future fiscal years.
The national context of these budget talks is one in which the Trump administration is placing a high priority on maintaining law and order. There is pressure on many states, especially those governed by Republicans, to coordinate their legislative goals. Some have suggested increasing public safety funding to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
Nevertheless, following years of income growth, states now face new financial limits, and policymakers are searching for methods to reduce spending. According to Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies for the National Association of State Budget Officers, experts anticipate that correctional budgets for jails and prisons will level off, despite the fact that states may have raised public safety spending in recent years.
“The other funding priorities will have to be compared with the public safety requests,” Sigritz told Stateline.
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To support federal immigration enforcement, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has proposed spending about $510 million and creating 36 new jobs across multiple agencies.
Additionally, he has suggested spending $8 million on infrastructure upgrades and over $2 million on satellite phones and radio tower repairs for probation officers in outlying counties.
His proposal would set aside around $3 million for security and communications related to incarceration, including license plate readers, thermal fence cameras, and drone detection technology.
Legislators ultimately determine where the funds are spent, even while governors present budget proposals that emphasize their top priorities.
Concerns regarding the aging facilities in the Florida prison system have been voiced by lawmakers and advocates for corrections. Many homes constructed prior to 1980 do not have central air conditioning or heating. DeSantis has recently vetoed financing for new facilities, limiting efforts to improve conditions for staff and convicts despite years of budget surpluses.
The executive branches of other states likewise seek additional funding to expand their workforces and renovate their facilities.
Following a U.S. Department of Justice assessment that revealed pervasive violence and insufficient staffing violated inmates’ constitutional rights, Georgia officials have suggested a $600 million investment in the state’s prison system. In addition to hiring more than 880 additional employees in the upcoming years, the state plans to hire 330 correctional and security officers in the upcoming year. Salary increases are also included in the planned budget to help reduce high turnover rates.
The Georgia House adopted a revised spending plan earlier this month that would allocate $333 million to improve jail safety in the state. The funds would be used to construct two prisoner housing complexes, purchase a new surveillance unit to enhance real-time facility monitoring, and purchase body cameras and Tasers for correctional staff.
In January, the legislature received a $550 million proposal from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, which included money for employee benefits, facial recognition software, and body-worn cameras. However, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal would preserve aflatallocation, maintaining the department’s spending at $544 million, which is the same as it is now.
Due to budget difficulties, some governments have suggested shutting facilities or reducing financing for prisons.
For instance, West Virginia’s correctional budget for the current fiscal year is short by $47 million.
Even though the state’s jail population is predicted to rise due to stricter sentencing measures that voters approved in November, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom recommended reducing prison spending by $400 million.
In an effort to save more than $110 million, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has proposed eliminating two of the state’s 24 correctional facilities as well as two community corrections centers.
According to the Shapiro administration, correctional facilities have continuously run below capacity, with usage rates between 84 and 92 percent. The proposed closures were criticized by the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, which claimed they would hurt local economies and put personnel and inmates in risk.
This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections suggested closing two community transitional correctional facilities, a boot camp, and a state prison.
According to the most recent population estimates, the state prison and boot camp contain about 2,500 convicts and employ close to 900 full-time personnel. Affected workers will be offered similar positions in the area, the agency said.
In January, Republican Governor Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota presented lawmakers with his proposed budget, emphasizing funds for reducing jail and prison overcrowding.
The budget for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would rise by $2.12 million under Armstrong’s proposal, reaching $5.05 million for the 2025–2027 biennium.
Due to overcrowding in the men’s prisons and overflow beds in county jails, the government implemented an admissions system akin to an awaitlist in October.
The department’s chief financial officer, Michele Zander, told Stateline that our population is growing rapidly. Even in the county jails, there is no space. Spots are difficult to locate.
According to January population figures, the department is in charge of at least 1,963 individuals, some of whom are detained in county and regional jails. At least fifteen more inmates are still waiting to be admitted to county jails.
The department can accommodate 1,636 individuals in its facilities for men and women.
“The department’s waitlist system not only helps reduce overcrowding but also helps curb violence and ensure better access to programs and services,” said Rachelle Juntunen, deputy director of adult services.
Juntunen told Stateline, “We still want to maintain and run safe prisons with the necessary services.”
Armstrong’s plan calls for $16.1 million for various renovations, $23 million for the development and design of a new Missouri River Correctional Center, and $36.5 million to finish the women’s Heart River Correctional Center.
By July 1, 90 more beds would be added to the Grand Forks County Correctional Center, and an additional $16.1 million would be allotted to staff and run the facility. Additionally, $9.3 million is included in the budget plan for a temporary housing building at the Missouri River Correctional Center. By July 1, 2026, this facility will have added 88 beds, bringing the total number of new beds between the two prisons to 178.
Additionally, $19.2 million in Armstrong’s budget would go toward behavioral health initiatives, such as peer recovery programs, crisis assistance, and addiction treatment. An extra $2 million will be allocated for crisis assistance in rural regions, where there is limited access to addiction and mental health care.
To coordinate efforts between corrections, addiction counselors, tribal allies, law enforcement, and the judiciary, Armstrong also announced the creation of a new Cabinet position called the commissioner of rehabilitation and reentry.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.