FY27 Budget Oversight Testimony for the Department of Corrections and the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants

This testimony addresses ACLU-D.C.'s recommendations regarding the District’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget for the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG).

While funding the construction of a new D.C. jail is a step in the right direction, funding cannot be delayed until FY32 to build the new jail. While the Mayor’s allocation of $75M for DOC to support a public-private partnership to build a new jail is a start, both the Council and the public need more publicly available details before it can further consider the budget allocations. The Council should ensure that the new public-private partnership includes strong public accountability measures, including the creation of a Community Advisory Board. The Council should also fully restore the Access to Justice Initiative program to its FY26 appropriations level of $31.785M to ensure critical legal services continue for District residents.