SAGINAW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4723400
SAGINAW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in November 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Saginaw Correctional Facility (SCF), 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
SCF, located in Saginaw County, is under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden is appointed by the DOC director.

The mission of SCF is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. SCF, which opened in August 1993, is a minimum, medium, and close security (levels I, II, and IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,262 prisoners. Prisoners are housed two to a cell within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes an electronic detection system, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle. An additional housing unit under construction at SCF will house up to 240 close security (level IV) prisoners. The unit is expected to begin housing prisoners in fiscal year 2001-02.

For fiscal year 1998-99, SCF expenditures were $24.52 million. As of April 30, 2000, SCF had 389 employees, of which 270 were custody staff.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that SCF's safety and security operations were generally effective in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to security monitoring exercises, prisoner shakedowns, and the Community Liaison Committee (Findings 1 through 3).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: As a result of SCF's telephone and mail monitoring activities during May and June 1998, SCF and the Michigan State police identified an SCF inmate who was organizing drug deals from prison. Information provided by SCF led to the arrests of seven people and seizure by State police of nearly 40 pounds of cocaine, $121,000 in cash, and three vehicles. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $2 million.

SCF minimum security (level I) prisoners built a home for the Saginaw County Habitat for Humanity organization. The home was constructed on site and moved to its permanent location on March 19, 2000. This accomplishment was the first of its kind for a Michigan prison. In addition, SCF prisoners built wall panels for 30 other Habitat for Humanity homes during 1999.
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of SCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that SCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to preventive maintenance (Finding 4).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: SCF's Maintenance Division has implemented an automated work order system that allows requests for repairs to be forwarded via SCF's local area network. The automated system provides an improved tracking system and eliminates unnecessary reviews and paperwork.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine program and other records of the Saginaw Correctional Facility. 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 SCF records and activities for the period October 1997 through April 2000. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of SCF operations. This included discussions with various SCF staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records and DOC policy directives and SCF operating procedures. To gain an understanding of SCF 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 in an effective and efficient manner.

In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with SCF.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our audit report includes 4 findings and 4 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that SCF agrees with and has complied or has taken action to comply with the 4 recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4723400 - SAGINAW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

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This page was created on October 30, 2000.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in November 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Saginaw Correctional Facility (SCF), 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 SCF, located in Saginaw County, is under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden is appointed by the DOC director. The mission of SCF is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. SCF, which opened in August 1993, is a minimum, medium, and close security (levels I, II, and IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,262 prisoners. Prisoners are housed two to a cell within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes an electronic detection system, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle. An additional housing unit under construction at SCF will house up to 240 close security (level IV) prisoners. The unit is expected to begin housing prisoners in fiscal year 2001-02. For fiscal year 1998-99, SCF expenditures were $24.52 million. As of April 30, 2000, SCF had 389 employees, of which 270 were custody staff.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of SCF's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that SCF's safety and security operations were generally effective in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to security monitoring exercises, prisoner shakedowns, and the Community Liaison Committee (Findings 1 through 3). Noteworthy Accomplishments: As a result of SCF's telephone and mail monitoring activities during May and June 1998, SCF and the Michigan State police identified an SCF inmate who was organizing drug deals from prison. Information provided by SCF led to the arrests of seven people and seizure by State police of nearly 40 pounds of cocaine, $121,000 in cash, and three vehicles. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $2 million. SCF minimum security (level I) prisoners built a home for the Saginaw County Habitat for Humanity organization. The home was constructed on site and moved to its permanent location on March 19, 2000. This accomplishment was the first of its kind for a Michigan prison. In addition, SCF prisoners built wall panels for 30 other Habitat for Humanity homes during 1999. Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of SCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that SCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to preventive maintenance (Finding 4). Noteworthy Accomplishments: SCF's Maintenance Division has implemented an automated work order system that allows requests for repairs to be forwarded via SCF's local area network. The automated system provides an improved tracking system and eliminates unnecessary reviews and paperwork.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine program and other records of the Saginaw Correctional Facility. 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 SCF records and activities for the period October 1997 through April 2000. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of SCF operations. This included discussions with various SCF staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records and DOC policy directives and SCF operating procedures. To gain an understanding of SCF 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 in an effective and efficient manner. In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with SCF.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our audit report includes 4 findings and 4 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that SCF agrees with and has complied or has taken action to comply with the 4 recommendations.