TRENTON – Lawmakers bemoaned growing overtime costs in the state’s prisons at a Monday budget hearing, which are approaching $1 million even if costs related to the COVID-19 response are excluded. The Department of Corrections says overtime cost $61.5 million last fiscal year, including $14.5 million due to the pandemic that gets reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This year is projected at $65.4 million, including $17.7 million in FEMA-covered pandemic costs. “The pandemic increased overtime due to additional staffing needs,” said Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks. “NJDOC had to ensure facilities were properly staffed as many staff members fell ill or had to quarantine to avoid further spreading the virus.”