Criminal Justice Department Requests $217M Capital Budget for 2026-27

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has requested a $217 million capital budget in its Fiscal Year 2026-27 legislative appropriations request.

The requested capital budget is approximately $136 million less than what TDCJ was granted for equivalent items in the General Appropriations Bill (HB 1) for FY 2024-25.

The following information resource items are included in the capital budget request:

• $67 million for data center consolidation
• $15 million for body-worn cameras
• $5 million for operational support equipment
• $2.6 million for the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS)
• $2 million for an inmate banking system
• $880,000 for correctional security equipment
• $200,000 for computer and software acquisitions

For comparison, here are the capital budget values for the same items in HB 1:

• $67 million for data center consolidation
• $24 million for body-worn cameras
• $24 million for operational support equipment
• $2.6 million for the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System
• $8 million for an inmate banking system
• $15 million for correctional security equipment
• $11 million for computer and software acquisitions

According to its 2025-2029 strategic plan, the agency intends to improve video surveillance systems, continue security purchases and maintain the Integrated Victim Services System.