BARAGA MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP KITWEN

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4720700
BARAGA MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP KITWEN

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in May 2001, contains the results of our performance audit of the Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility (BMCF) and Camp Kitwen (CK), 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
BMCF, located in Baraga County, and CK, located in Houghton County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is appointed by the DOC director.

The two facilities share a records office, a personnel office, a business office, and a training office. The deputy warden oversees custody (safety and security), housing, training, and prisoner programs. The administrative officer oversees the business office, physical plant, warehouse, and food service operations.

The mission of these facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. BMCF, which originally opened in April 1993, is a multiple level facility for males with a capacity of 616 maximum security (level V) and 240 minimum security (level I) prisoners. The maximum security prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, five gun towers, and an armed response vehicle that constantly patrols this portion of the facility perimeter. The minimum security prisoners at BMCF are housed in cubicles for six within a separate fenced perimeter. CK, which was placed under the jurisdiction of BMCF in September 1997, houses 240 minimum security (level I) male prisoners placed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter.

For fiscal year 1999-2000, BMCF and CK operating expenditures were approximately $25.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2000, BMCF and CK had 400 and 51 employees, respectively.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of BMCF's and CK's safety and security operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that BMCF's and CK's safety and security operations were generally effective. However, we noted reportable conditions related to gate manifests, security key controls, cell searches, employee searches, firearms qualifications, the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) squad, and the monitoring of prisoner phone calls (Findings 1 through 7).

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

Conclusion: We concluded that BMCF's and CK's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to fire evacuation drills. (Finding 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility and Camp Kitwen. 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 procedures included examination of BMCF and CK records and activities for the period October 1998 through October 2000. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of BMCF and CK operations. This included discussions with various BMCF and CK staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and BMCF and CK operating procedures. To gain an understanding of BMCF and CK activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit, we conducted tests of records related to safety and security, prison operations, prisoner care, and maintenance activities for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and for program effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our audit report includes 8 findings and 8 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that BMCF and CK agree with all of the findings and either have complied or will comply with the recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4720700 - BARAGA MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP KITWEN

Documents prefaced by require the Adobe Acrobat Reader®, a free application available on the Adobe homepage.

This page was created on May 9, 2001.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in May 2001, contains the results of our performance audit of the Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility (BMCF) and Camp Kitwen (CK), 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 BMCF, located in Baraga County, and CK, located in Houghton County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is appointed by the DOC director. The two facilities share a records office, a personnel office, a business office, and a training office. The deputy warden oversees custody (safety and security), housing, training, and prisoner programs. The administrative officer oversees the business office, physical plant, warehouse, and food service operations. The mission of these facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. BMCF, which originally opened in April 1993, is a multiple level facility for males with a capacity of 616 maximum security (level V) and 240 minimum security (level I) prisoners. The maximum security prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, five gun towers, and an armed response vehicle that constantly patrols this portion of the facility perimeter. The minimum security prisoners at BMCF are housed in cubicles for six within a separate fenced perimeter. CK, which was placed under the jurisdiction of BMCF in September 1997, houses 240 minimum security (level I) male prisoners placed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter. For fiscal year 1999-2000, BMCF and CK operating expenditures were approximately $25.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2000, BMCF and CK had 400 and 51 employees, respectively.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of BMCF's and CK's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that BMCF's and CK's safety and security operations were generally effective. However, we noted reportable conditions related to gate manifests, security key controls, cell searches, employee searches, firearms qualifications, the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) squad, and the monitoring of prisoner phone calls (Findings 1 through 7). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of BMCF's and CK's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that BMCF's and CK's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to fire evacuation drills. (Finding 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility and Camp Kitwen. 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 procedures included examination of BMCF and CK records and activities for the period October 1998 through October 2000. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of BMCF and CK operations. This included discussions with various BMCF and CK staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and BMCF and CK operating procedures. To gain an understanding of BMCF and CK activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit, we conducted tests of records related to safety and security, prison operations, prisoner care, and maintenance activities for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and for program effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our audit report includes 8 findings and 8 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that BMCF and CK agree with all of the findings and either have complied or will comply with the recommendations.