Mission Critical Funding Needs January 31, 2007 Jon Ozmint, Director Department of Corrections

South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC): Performance and Accountability SCDC per inmate cost is ranked 50 th (lowest in the nation) while its staffing per inmate ratio ranked 48th. Yet, South Carolina’s three year recidivism rate of 32.7% continues to be better than the national average of 33.8%. There were no major disturbances/major incidents, and few escapes. Prisons remain safe with low assault rates and increased contraband control. The South Carolina prison system is among the most cost effective and efficient in the nation: fewer dollars were expended while achieving outcomes that are among the best in the nation.

Between June 15, 2001 and June 15, 2006, SCDC’s institutional count increased by 1,946 (9%). By law, SCDC must provide security, housing, clothing, food, and healthcare - these basic needs require more dollars as SCDC daily count increases. To prepare inmates for re-entry into community, SCDC provides education, work, and addiction treatment programs. Increasing Demands from a Growing Population Increase in Institutional Population 21,348 22,149 23,287 22,767 23,000 20,000 24,000 21,000 22,000 23,008 23, June Sep Dec Mar June Sep Dec Mar June Sep Dec Mar June Sep Dec Mar June Sep Dec Mar June 2006

More Truth-in-Sentencing (TIS) inmates (ineligible for parole; must serve 85% of their sentence; prone to more infractions) –In June 2000, 3,915 inmates (18% of population). –In June 2006, 9,124 inmates (40% of population). –Eventually, at least 48% of population will be TIS inmates. More Difficult and More Service Intensive Inmates Increasing Demands from a Growing Population 11,778 violent offenders (51% of population). 2,362 mentally ill inmates (10% of population). More than half of population has medical problems (61%). More than half cannot read at 9 th grade level (52%). Nearly half have chemical dependency (41%).

Between 2001 and 2006, annual average per inmate cost based on State funds decreased by $2,798; 18% less than in FY Between 2001 and 2006, annual average per inmate cost based on all funds decreased by $1,920; 11% less than in FY South Carolina is the only state in the nation which failed to restore prison funding back to the level before the economic downturn in SCDC funding is $40 million less than 1999 appropriations. FY2001 $17,076 $15,968 State Funds Federal/Other Funds Decreasing Dollars Between FY 2001 and 2006, SCDC Per Inmate Cost Based on State Funds Decreased by $2,798 (18%) $15,156 $13,170 FY2006 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000

Comparing State Appropriations Percentage Changes in Southern States FY FY 2005 South Carolina: Only Southern State Spending Less on Prisons All Southern States GeorgiaNorth Carolina SOUTH CAROLINA Between FY 2000 and 2005, all other Southern States increased their prison budgets, South Carolina appropriated 8.6% less to its adult correctional system, despite a 9% increase in inmate population. Percentage Change in Prison Budgets FY

Comparing State Funded Per-Inmate Institutional Operating Cost in Southern States FY 2005 The Southern Legislative Conference compares per inmate institutional operating costs without administrative and centralized expenses. Data shows South Carolina’s state funded per inmate cost of $27.39 per day is only 58% of the average state funded cost for all Southern States. North Carolina spent 2.4 times that of South Carolina. Georgia’s cost is 1.7 times. All Southern States South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Daily Per Inmate Cost

Similarly High Incarceration but Lower Expenditures –South Carolina incarcerates 539 per 100,000 (compared with an average rate of 540 among Southern States). –Between FY 2000 and 2005, SCDC’s total expenditures decreased by 8.6%. Southern States collectively increased correctional spending by 12.2%. More Economical Prison Operations and Construction than Other Southern States –SCDC’s daily per inmate cost is 42% less than the average for other Southern States (based on FY 2005 figures - Southern Legislative Conference). –Prison construction is 16% less (based on FY 2005 figures of $56,000 in South Carolina vs. $66,400 per bed). South Carolina versus Southern States

Our Security Staff Work Harder for Less –South Carolina’s 9.6 inmates per correctional officer is 74% higher than the Southern States’ average of 5.5. –Recently, the Legislature increased correctional officers’ starting salary to $22,709 (from $20,645 in 2005). –Current correctional officers’ starting salaries are still lower than the average of Southern States and other local entities. –According to the SCDC salary survey of South Carolina counties: Richland - $23,472 Charleston - $27,378 Florence - $21,263 Greenville - $24,587 Lexington - $29,714 Spartanburg - $25,885 –Select Southern States: Alabama - $25,352 Georgia - $23,613 North Carolina - $23,894 South Carolina versus Southern States

Commitment to Prison Security and Safety Low Assault Rate As a Percentage of the Average Daily Institutional Population Based on Management Information Notes (MINS) Inmate on Staff Inmate on Inmate

Commitment to Prison Security and Safety Few Escapes.0%.1%.2%.3%.4%.5% As a Percentage of the Average Daily Institutional Population Apprehensions Escapes

Commitment to Inmate Rehabilitation * *The GED Test was reorganized during FY 2002, therefore, the SC Dept. of Education did not administer tests for a six month period. Educational Accomplishments

Commitment to Cost Efficiency $38.25 $37.13 $43.78 $46.78 $41.03 $38.32 $41.52 Other Funds State Funds Consistently Low Daily Operating Cost Per Inmate

Commitment to Cost Efficiency Controlling Health Care Costs

South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC): Mission Critical Funding Needs SCDC Budget requests are necessary to: Sustain past performance of safe prisons. Control emerging problems (critical facility/equipment disrepair; staff attrition). Meet legal challenges (mental health).

Inadequate and Aging Facilities Shortage of Level II general housing beds (On December 15, 2006, 8,077 Level II inmates exceeded capacity of 7,475). Deferred maintenance has resulted in deteriorating prisons, posing health, safety and security risks. Many SCDC sites have asbestos problems and reported substandard fences, locks and doors. Roof/road repairs are needed at over 20 sites. Identified deferred maintenance totaled $25 million.

Vehicles –For inmate transport and prison operations. –453 vehicles (54% of current fleet) register over 100,000 miles and 250 (30%) register over 150,000 miles. Security Equipment –For communications, monitoring, and screening. –Obsolete and inadequate equipment impedes detection of contraband. –New technologies are available to control contraband (including detection of cell phones). Obsolete Equipment

The Vacancy Rate for Security Positions at Medium/Maximum Facilities Declined After the Recent Incentive Pay Increase Cadets, Corporal II and Correctional Officer II at medium/maximum facilities received incentive pay increases in July 2005 and July Vacancy rate is the total number of vacancies in these job categories, expressed as a percentage of the total number of authorized positions in these job categories. In January 2007, six months after the second incentive pay raise in July 2006, SCDC medium/maximum institutions’ vacancy rate declined to 14% (18% in July 2006). Addressing the Problem of Staff Retention

A Lower Percentage of Security Staff Resigned Within Their First Six Months of Employment After the Recent Incentive Pay Increase SCDC monitored the retention rate of three cohorts of security staff hired in FY 2004, FY 2005, and FY 2006, respectively (security staff consists of Cadet, Corporal II and Officer II positions). In FY 2005, SCDC hired 777 security staff, 156 of whom resigned within six months, for a six-month resignation rate of 20%. In FY 2006, SCDC hired 916 security staff; 164 resigned within six months, for a six-month resignation rate of 17.9%. Retention of Security Staff

Fewer Medium/Maximum Facilities Have a Critical Number of Vacant Security Positions Since the Recent Incentive Pay Increase In July 2006, SCDC had 357 vacant security positions at medium/maximum institutions. In January 2007, the number of vacant security positions dropped to 283, a 21% reduction in security position vacancies, just six months after the incentive increase. In July 2006, six of SCDC’s 16 medium/maximum institutions (38%) had more than 30 vacant security positions. In January 2007, only two medium/maximum institutions had 30 or more vacant security positions. Retention of Security Staff

Despite Recent Pay Increases, SCDC Starts New Correctional Officers at a Lower Salary than Large South Carolina Counties *Based on starting salary figures for correctional officers with “no experience.” Recruiting and Retaining Security Staff

SCDC FY Budget Request