TO: Residents of the Division of Correction
RE: Hearings in Annapolis on DOC's Operating Budget
Enclosed is a copy of my "Testimony Before the General Assembly Regarding the Division of Correction" which I delivered in person to the House Subcommittee on Law Enforcement and Transportation on February 18th and gave copies to the Senate Subcommittee on Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development and Natural Resources for use at their hearing on the 19th.
The content of the hearing which I attended on the 18th was so extensive that I can only give you highlights here. Present were the Secretary, Bishop Robinson, and the Commissioner, Richard Lanham, as well as the committee members (Timothy Maloney, Chairman) and several people from the Division (Patricia Austin and a Mr. Hillburn of Health Care Services, David Jenkins from Correctional Education, and representatives of CMS).
David Jupp of the Department of Fiscal Services presented a 29-page summary of the operating budget. Of note, the operating budget for 1991 was $313,530,000 and was recommended to rise to $363,308,000 by 1993. There were 5,407 permanent positions recommended to rise to 6,547 by 1993. (Remember that omitted from the hearing was a discussion of the capital or building budget.)
Briefly, the inmate idleness rate is at an all time high of 33%. There is a high rate of correctional officer vacancies, and overcrowding was noted. A number of court orders are currently in effect which the Division may seek modification of as the year progresses. The number of SUI jobs has seen a decrease of 18.4%. The cost of medical services rose 33% over the past two years. Part of this is due to the absorption of Baltimore City Jail by DOC, part due to an increase in cost per inmate, and part because of the overall rise in number of inmates. Among other things, DOC is taking steps to reduce overtime, including roll call overtime.
Commissioner Lanham testified that DOC's population as of the date of the hearing was 18,928. He predicted a net rise of 100 inmates per month through 1993. He described the situation as "critical" -- a survey done the week before revealed that assaults were increasing. He mentioned that officers were receiving training in firearms and CPR (18 hours) only rather than the usual 4- to 5 days of training which was normal. Each institution had different problems, but major maintenance problems were occurring almost every week.
The discussion then shifted toward medical costs. Bishop Robinson testified that because of the magnitude and complexity, the whole contract with CMS had to be restructured. (The present contract expires July 1st.) Through an audit, $5.2 million had already been recovered. Mr. Maloney mentioned that the volume of complaints had risen dramatically. Mr. Lanham said that tracking would be so much better if it were computerized. Robinson also mentioned that a lot of inmates had a history of neglected care even from early childhood or prenatal care.
Patricia Austin and Mr. Hillburn of Headquarters also testified as well as representatives of CMS. They mentioned that Maryland has the largest privatized medical system in the country and compared Maryland with other states in the Northeast. The company has been in business 13 years, on the Eastern Shore since 1987 and Statewide since January of 1989. They claimed an increase of only 3.7% per inmate and that the major cost increase was an increase in the number of inmates and of inmates with special problems, such as AIDS.
The conversation shifted to population estimates. Mr. Lanham stated they were desperately hoping to open units 3 and 4 of the new MHC Annex as well as the 420- bed unit near ECI. Mr. Maloney speculated that at the rate of 100 per month, DOC would need a prison as large as the one slated for Western Maryland every two years. Bishop Robinson mentioned a 20% increase in crime since 1987 along with commitments up by 24% from 1987 to 1991.
Only 84 were on electronic home detention at a given time while there were 5,000 mandatory releases and 4,000 paroles during the year. A total of 511 had been on EHD: 281 graduated and 69 "didn't cut it". Robinson said that 55% of commitments were for violent offenses, 13% for drug trafficking, 15% for parole and probation violations and 16% for non-violent crime.
Mr. Maloney then said that Robinson was "not good" at asking for alternatives, particularly electronic home detention ($18/day). Robinson countered by saying we have to reduce length of stay ($89/day). Both Lanham and Robinson agreed that we were dealing with more violent criminals. Lanham testified that 125 inmates were over 60 years of age, while about 400 were between 50 and 60. Steps were being taken with Paul Davis of the Department of Parole and Probation to increase medical paroles.
The topic of correctional education came up. David Jenkins of Headquarters testified that over an 18 month period, the number of inmates in educational programs went from 5,000 to 3,800. Half of the GED staff was lost and MCIJ in particular was hard hit. He estimated that the recidivism rate was 50% lower for those in a training program. He mentioned 50-60 civilian volunteers while there were 400-500 inmates who could be tutors. The Division was therefore taking steps to develop inmate tutoring programs because that's where the people were. Jenkins also said that for each person in a GED program there were three in vocational programs.
The boot camp had had 442 graduates with 84 violated (20%). DOC was applying for a grant to cover aftercare. Robinson said they were "still shaking it out" but even if the recidivism rate were the same, the project was a success. He also mentioned that the boot camp could expand to 400-500 at any time.
The meeting wrapped up, prior to my testimony, with a discussion of the unrest in Hagerstown. Mr. Lanham said the investigation had been concluded, but he hadn't had time to get to it yet. The FBI came in and did preliminary work but Mr. Lanham said he didn't anticipate any staff being indicted. He mentioned that of the 500-600 vacancies, 9% were of custody staff and 17% other staff. Robinson closed by saying we don't want repeats of what happened in Hagerstown.
Sincerely,
Nancy Moran
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