Indiana Department of Correction Ombudsman Bureau

Summary

The Indiana Department of Correction Ombudsman Bureau was established in 2003 as a separate bureau within the Department of Administration under IC 4-13-1.2. The Director is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Bureau investigates complaints from incarcerated people or their families that IDOC has violated a law, rule, written policy, or endangered health or safety. By statute the Bureau has immediate access to all IDOC facilities and appropriate (complaint-specific) access to offender records; all Bureau communications are privileged. It must publish annual and monthly reports. The Bureau has no subpoena power, no discipline authority over corrections staff, and requires complainants to first attempt internal IDOC resolution. As of FY 2023-25, the Bureau operates on a $250,902 budget with only 2 staff members, creating significant capacity constraints on meaningful oversight.