Date: February 26, 2026
To: Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee
From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri
RE: Support HB 1616 and HB 2832
As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since its inception, Empower Missouri has prioritized addressing the criminal justice system and its impacts, advocating for stronger Department of Corrections (DOC) oversight and a more effective accountability system.
I am testifying on behalf of Empower Missouri to support HB 1616 by Rep. Allen and HB 2832 by Rep. Collins. Both bills would establish an independent Office of Corrections and Transparency. The office would include two core components: an investigations section and a complaints investigation section. Together, these divisions would provide critical information to incarcerated individuals and correctional staff, monitor prison conditions, and inspect each correctional facility across the state.These bills are straightforward and shows it will help ensure the adequacy of care provided to incarcerated people, improve quality of life within facilities, and increase transparency and accountability across the system for everyone impacted.
The recent informational hearing regarding the Department of Corrections’ medical contractor, Centurion Health, raised serious concerns about the quality of medical care in Missouri prisons and highlighted the absence of consistent, independent monitoring. Both the bills would help prevent these situations by creating an independent office with the authority to monitor conditions, investigate complaints, and review systemic issues in real time. Rather than waiting for crises or legislative hearings to uncover problems, this bill would provide ongoing oversight and transparency.
External accountability is essential for any institution tasked with providing services to the public. While the Department of Corrections is responsible for meeting the day-to-day needs of incarcerated individuals, Missouri lacks a sufficient accountability foundation to ensure those responsibilities are carried out appropriately. An independent oversight system is necessary to identify and address abuse, misconduct, and systemic failures within the prison system. Most importantly, independent oversight exists to protect the well-being of everyone who lives and works inside Missouri’s state prisons. This need is especially urgent given our state’s long legacy of abuse, harassment, and medical negligence within correctional facilities, along with a troubling pattern of misinformation surrounding deaths in custody.
In Missouri, there are well over 24,000 people incarcerated in the 19+ facilities across the state. Severe staffing shortages in recent years have exacerbated existing problems, contributing to unsafe conditions and inconsistent care. Tragically, in-custody deaths reached a record high of 139 in 2024 and remained above 100 in 2025. These alarming numbers underscore the urgent need for independent oversight. Othel Moore Jr., Brandon Pace, Chase Milner: these are just a few of the people who have lost their lives while in Missouri prisons due to the criminal or neglectful conduct of DOC and medical staff. These are men with families who love and miss them every day, not just data points in a report.
The Missouri Department of Corrections has an 830 million dollar budget in 2025. Since 2020, Missouri has paid over $80 million in lawsuit settlements and verdicts related to the department. These costs are borne by Missouri taxpayers and residents. Our research shows these settlements stem from a range of serious issues, including hostile work environments, sexual assaults, employee discrimination, and overall poor conditions within correctional facilities. Both former Department of Corrections employees and formerly incarcerated individuals have sought legal action against the state as a result of these systemic failures.
As taxpayers, Missourians deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Yet many Missouri residents and families of correctional staff and incarcerated individuals, are left in the dark about what occurs inside these facilities. Independent oversight would provide the transparency necessary to move forward.
Oversight alone will not immediately fix deeply entrenched problems, but it is a critical first step toward building a meaningful accountability system that protects incarcerated individuals, supports correctional staff, reassures families, and strengthens public trust in our institutions.
For these reasons, I strongly encourage the committee to support and vote yes on HB 1616 and HB 2832. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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