Arkansas sets 2026-27 correction agency spending and staffing limits

The General Assembly provides money for Department of Corrections programs and operations. The appropriations cover shared services, inmate care and custody, county jail reimbursement, inmate welfare, work release, prison industries, farming, medical services, and other listed programs. Spending must follow the listed fund sources and applicable state procurement, accounting, budget, salary, and fiscal-control laws. The appropriations apply for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, with the Act taking effect July 1, 2026.

The Act sets maximum staffing levels of 285 shared-services employees, 5,060 Division of Correction employees, and 170 temporary or part-time workers. The limits cover the listed job classifications in shared services and the Division of Correction, plus temporary or part-time workers hired when needed. Extra-help workers must be paid at rates allowed by the state classification and compensation law or this Act. The staffing limits apply during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, beginning July 1, 2026.

Department officials may move certain funds, positions, programs, or appropriations within the department for listed purposes. The authority covers needs such as temporary beds, debt, overtime, medical or private-prison contracts, construction, farm or industry deficits, uninsured losses, and critical personnel services. Most transfers require approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer and prior approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, and some also require Board of Corrections or Governor approval. Resource reallocations are limited to two requests per division and generally no more than 5% of the affected division or unit's listed funding and positions. Transfers may not use the County Jail Reimbursement Fund for transfers to or from that fund. These transfer authorities generally run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; shared-services authority runs from passage through June 30, 2027.