MARQUETTE BRANCH PRISON AND CAMP OTTAWA

Michigan Office of the
Auditor General
Thomas H. McTavish, C.P.A.
Auditor General

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4720599
MARQUETTE BRANCH PRISON AND CAMP OTTAWA

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in January 2001, contains the results of our performance audit of the Marquette Branch Prison (MBP) and Camp Ottawa (CO), Department of Corrections (DOC).

AUDIT PURPOSE
This performance audit was conducted as part of the constitutional responsibility of the Office of the Auditor General. Performance audits are conducted on a priority basis related to the potential for improving effectiveness and efficiency.

BACKGROUND
MBP, located in Marquette County, and CO, located just north of Iron River in Iron County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. One warden serves as the chief administrative officer for both facilities. Shared services include: business management, mailroom, personnel, training, physical plant, warehouse, and fire safety.

The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. MBP, authorized by the Legislature in 1885, opened in 1889 and has a capacity of 1,148 prisoners. MBP houses minimum security (level I) and maximum security (level V) male prisoners. CO, which was placed under the jurisdiction of MBP in August 1998, has a capacity of 240 prisoners. CO houses minimum security (level I) male prisoners.

For fiscal year 1997-98, MBP and CO operating expenditures were approximately $32.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively. MBP and CO had 479 and 48 employees, respectively, on July 24, 1999.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of MBP's and CO's safety and security operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that MBP's and CO's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to gate manifests, monitoring of tool storage areas, key identification and inventory documentation, prisoner shakedowns and cell searches, rounds of housing units, and monitoring of security threat group members (Findings 1 through 6).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: MBP received acknowledgment from local law enforcement and the community for the effectiveness of the newly implemented emergency response team, and CO received recognition from the community and local government for its prisoner public works crews' efforts.

Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of MBP's and CO's prisoner care and maintenance operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that MBP's and CO's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to fire safety and emergency generator testing (Findings 7 and 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Marquette Branch Prison and Camp Ottawa. Our audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and, accordingly, included such tests of the records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

Our audit methodology included the testing of records for the period October 1996 through July 1999. We conducted a preliminary review of MBP's and CO's operations. This included discussions with various MBP and CO staff regarding their functions and responsibilities; tests of program records; and a review of DOC policy directives, DOC procedures, and MBP and CO operating procedures to gain an understanding of facility activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit.

We analyzed safety and security operations and procedures related to prisoner care and maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall program effectiveness. In addition, we conducted surveys (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES AND PRIOR AUDIT FOLLOW-UP
Our audit report contains 8 findings and 9 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that MBP and CO have complied or will comply with the 9 recommendations.

MBP complied with 6 of 8 prior audit recommendations. Two others were rewritten and included in this report.

Full Audit Report - #4720599 - MARQUETTE BRANCH PRISON AND CAMP OTTAWA

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This page was created on January 9, 2001.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in January 2001, contains the results of our performance audit of the Marquette Branch Prison (MBP) and Camp Ottawa (CO), Department of Corrections (DOC).

AUDIT PURPOSE This performance audit was conducted as part of the constitutional responsibility of the Office of the Auditor General. Performance audits are conducted on a priority basis related to the potential for improving effectiveness and efficiency.

BACKGROUND MBP, located in Marquette County, and CO, located just north of Iron River in Iron County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. One warden serves as the chief administrative officer for both facilities. Shared services include: business management, mailroom, personnel, training, physical plant, warehouse, and fire safety. The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. MBP, authorized by the Legislature in 1885, opened in 1889 and has a capacity of 1,148 prisoners. MBP houses minimum security (level I) and maximum security (level V) male prisoners. CO, which was placed under the jurisdiction of MBP in August 1998, has a capacity of 240 prisoners. CO houses minimum security (level I) male prisoners. For fiscal year 1997-98, MBP and CO operating expenditures were approximately $32.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively. MBP and CO had 479 and 48 employees, respectively, on July 24, 1999.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of MBP's and CO's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that MBP's and CO's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to gate manifests, monitoring of tool storage areas, key identification and inventory documentation, prisoner shakedowns and cell searches, rounds of housing units, and monitoring of security threat group members (Findings 1 through 6). Noteworthy Accomplishments: MBP received acknowledgment from local law enforcement and the community for the effectiveness of the newly implemented emergency response team, and CO received recognition from the community and local government for its prisoner public works crews' efforts. Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of MBP's and CO's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that MBP's and CO's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to fire safety and emergency generator testing (Findings 7 and 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Marquette Branch Prison and Camp Ottawa. Our audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and, accordingly, included such tests of the records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. Our audit methodology included the testing of records for the period October 1996 through July 1999. We conducted a preliminary review of MBP's and CO's operations. This included discussions with various MBP and CO staff regarding their functions and responsibilities; tests of program records; and a review of DOC policy directives, DOC procedures, and MBP and CO operating procedures to gain an understanding of facility activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit. We analyzed safety and security operations and procedures related to prisoner care and maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall program effectiveness. In addition, we conducted surveys (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES AND PRIOR AUDIT FOLLOW-UP Our audit report contains 8 findings and 9 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that MBP and CO have complied or will comply with the 9 recommendations. MBP complied with 6 of 8 prior audit recommendations. Two others were rewritten and included in this report.