Correctional Services - Assessment of State Correctional System

SB 694 requires Maryland's Office of the Correctional Ombudsman to hire an independent consultant by October 1, 2026, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state's correctional system. The assessment must cover infrastructure (facilities, cell design, technology), staffing ratios and training, programming effectiveness, health services compared to national standards, and restrictive housing policies. It also mandates including stakeholder input (via interviews, surveys, and public hearings) and producing a report with cost-benefit analysis, comparisons to states like New York and New Jersey, and actionable recommendations with implementation timelines. This bill directly affects the Correctional Ombudsman's office, the state correctional system, and incarcerated individuals through the assessment process. The findings must be included in the Ombudsman's annual report to the Governor and General Assembly starting in 2027.