Department of Correctional Services

Additional information (revised January 28, 2004):

·          After the release of the 2004-05 budget, PEF was notified of position eliminations associated with bed reductions in the current year at Cape Vincent, Riverview, Marcy, and Orleans Correctional Facilities, and the closure of Fulton Correctional Facility by March 31, 2004.  PEF was also notified of the closure of Camp Pharsalia and Camp McGregor in the fall of 2004 (DOCS indicated these facilities would close in the fall, the Assembly analysis says they will close by the end of SFY 2004-05).  The medium security facility at McGregor will not be impacted.  Savings from bed reductions are estimated at $6.5 million in 2004-05 and $11 million annualized.

·          The $7,000,000 increase for the Forensic Services Program in OMH will add 66 nurses and psychiatrists to the number of clinical personnel stationed in Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) facilities. A total of 264 beds would be added to provide forensic services: 102 Behavioral Care Unit beds, 75 Special Treatment Program beds and 87 Intermediate Care Program beds. The Behavioral Care Unit (BCU) is a new, highly intensive treatment model, would serve as an alternative to DOCS Special Housing Units (SHU). The Executive proposes adding 38 BCU beds at Great Meadow and 64 BCU beds at Sullivan correctional facilities. Three new 25 bed Special Treatment Program (STP) beds at undesignated facilities will supplement the 43 Special Treatment Program (STP) beds, located at the Attica and Five Points correctional facilities. The STP provides specialized therapeutic services and support, including on-site 24-hour crisis services to inmates in SHUs. The Intermediate Care Program (ICP) will be increased by 87 beds, bringing the total number to 652. ICP is the “step-down” program that prepares mentally ill inmates for return to the general population. The ICPs are dedicated, residential units that provide enhanced rehabilitation, treatment and supports for inmates with serious mental illness. The costs for capital development and increased security would be borne by DOCS.

·          The $15 million appropriation for a “Capacity Contracting Account” reflects an anticipated contract with the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the housing of approximately 500 prisoners awaiting deportation. Under a contracting process, the Federal government would pay the State $30,000 per bed, per year.

·          The closure of the Special Housing Unit (SHU) at the Watertown Correctional Facility, creating a net savings of $300,000. Seven (7) FTE positions would be eliminated by attrition as a result of this action;

The Executive Budget recommends (revised analysis as of January 21, 2004):

• A net decrease of 213 FTEs, from the adjusted FTE workforce for 3/31/04.   The DOCS workforce will be 636 FTE’s greater than estimated in the 2003-04 Executive Budget.  Current year changes included an increase of 789 FTE’s in the Supervision of Inmates Program, an increase of 40 FTEs in Program Services, and a decrease of 266 FTEs in the Administration Program. Workforce changes in 2004-05 include an increase of 7 FTEs in the Administration Program; a decrease of 12 FTEs in the Correctional Industries Program; a decrease of 5 FTEs in the Health Services Program; a decrease of 12 FTEs in Program Services; a decrease of 156 FTEs in the Supervision of Inmates Program; and a decrease of 35 in the Support Services Program. The workforce will be 30,961 FTEs on March 31, 2005.
• A year-end inmate population of 64,000, representing a reduction of approximately 1,000 from the current census.  The projected decline in the prison population would allow DOCS to pursue a contract with the Federal government to temporarily house convicted felons serving sentences of State imprisonment awaiting deportation.
• Unexplained personal service increases may reflect the additional pay period in the institutional payroll in SFY 2004-05.

·        A net increase of $19.7 million in the Administration and Finance Program, including a decrease of $986,000 in personal services.  This program contains an unexplained $15,000,000 Special Revenue-Other appropriation for a “Capacity Contracting Account”.  PEF is concerned that this account may have implications for the contracting out of state operated services and will determine the purpose of this funding.  This issue needs to be clarified with DOCS management.

·        A reduction of $6.1 million in the Correctional Industries Internal Service Fund, including $465,000 in Personal Services and $7.0 million in Nonpersonal services which reflects the proposed 12 FTE decrease in this program.

·        An increase of $17.2 million in the Health Services Program, including $1.0 million in Personal Services and $17.1 million in Nonpersonal Services.

·        An increase of $3.8 million (2.5%) in Personal Services in the Program Services Program despite the reduction of 12 FTEs.

·        A Personal Services increase of $33.1 million in the Supervision of Inmates Program. The Executive Budget shows a decrease of $8.7 million in Personal Services for this program, reflecting current year adjustments to the SFY 2003-04 enacted appropriation to accommodate 789 additional FTEs.

·        Fiduciary Fund accounts are transferred to Special Revenue-Other accounts.

• $7 million in additional funding in the OMH budget for expanded mental health treatment capacity and clinical staffing for forensic DOCS inmates.  OMH will work with DOCS to establish a new Behavioral Health Unit program model, almost triple the number of beds for the Special Treatment Program; expand bed capacity for the Intermediate Care Program; and improve access to clinical staff for mental health services.  An additional 66 FTEs are added to the OMH Forensic program in SFY 2004-05.