WESTERN WAYNE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP BRIGHTON

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4726599
WESTERN WAYNE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP BRIGHTON

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in October 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Western Wayne Correctional Facility (WWCF) and Camp Brighton (CB), 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
WWCF, located in Wayne County, and CB, located in Livingston County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is a classified State employee under the State's civil service system. The warden is appointed by the DOC director.

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

The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. WWCF, which opened in 1985, is a medium security (level lll) facility for males with a capacity of 775 prisoners. Prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle that constantly patrols the facility perimeter. CB, which was placed under the jurisdiction of WWCF in September 1997, houses 270 minimum security (level I) male prisoners within a fenced perimeter.

WWCF is the intake center for male offenders who have either violated their parole or correction center placement and for prisoners who transferred from other institutions who need mental health treatment.

For fiscal year 1998-99, WWCF and CB operating expenditures were approximately $19.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively. As of September 30, 1999, WWCF and CB had 317 and 55 employees, respectively.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that WWCF's and CB's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to cell searches, employee searches, prisoner shakedowns, tool controls, security key controls, gate manifest controls, prisoner telephone call monitoring, and communication with the community (Findings 1 through 8).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: WWCF recently implemented physical plant improvements that improved the facility's safety and security. These improvements included installation of two new gun towers, new concertina wire on the security fence, and a new security camera system to monitor the facility grounds and perimeter.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that WWCF's and CB's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to the inventory management system and emergency backup generator testing (Findings 9 through 10).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: WWCF is the intake center for male offenders who have violated their parole or placement and for prisoners who need mental health treatment. Yearly intake of prisoners has increased 35% from 3,634 in 1996 to 4,894 in 1998. WWCF has streamlined and computerized this process to accommodate the increased work load without the use of additional resources.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Western Wayne Correctional Facility and Camp Brighton. 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 methodology included examination of WWCF and CB records and activities for the period October 1996 through October 1999.

We conducted a preliminary review of WWCF and CB operations. This included discussions with various WWCF and CB staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and WWCF and CB operating procedures. To gain an understanding of WWCF and CB 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 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 9 findings and 10 corresponding recommendations. WWCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4726599 - WESTERN WAYNE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP BRIGHTON

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This page was created on September 29, 2000.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in October 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Western Wayne Correctional Facility (WWCF) and Camp Brighton (CB), 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 WWCF, located in Wayne County, and CB, located in Livingston County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is a classified State employee under the State's civil service system. The warden is appointed by the DOC director. The two facilities share a records office, a personnel office, a mailroom, and a training office. The deputy warden oversees custody (safety and security), housing, and prisoner programs. The administrative officer oversees the business office, physical plant, fire safety, warehouse, and food service operations. The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. WWCF, which opened in 1985, is a medium security (level lll) facility for males with a capacity of 775 prisoners. Prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, double-fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle that constantly patrols the facility perimeter. CB, which was placed under the jurisdiction of WWCF in September 1997, houses 270 minimum security (level I) male prisoners within a fenced perimeter. WWCF is the intake center for male offenders who have either violated their parole or correction center placement and for prisoners who transferred from other institutions who need mental health treatment. For fiscal year 1998-99, WWCF and CB operating expenditures were approximately $19.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively. As of September 30, 1999, WWCF and CB had 317 and 55 employees, respectively.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of WWCF's and CB's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that WWCF's and CB's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to cell searches, employee searches, prisoner shakedowns, tool controls, security key controls, gate manifest controls, prisoner telephone call monitoring, and communication with the community (Findings 1 through 8). Noteworthy Accomplishments: WWCF recently implemented physical plant improvements that improved the facility's safety and security. These improvements included installation of two new gun towers, new concertina wire on the security fence, and a new security camera system to monitor the facility grounds and perimeter. Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of WWCF's and CB's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that WWCF's and CB's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to the inventory management system and emergency backup generator testing (Findings 9 through 10). Noteworthy Accomplishments: WWCF is the intake center for male offenders who have violated their parole or placement and for prisoners who need mental health treatment. Yearly intake of prisoners has increased 35% from 3,634 in 1996 to 4,894 in 1998. WWCF has streamlined and computerized this process to accommodate the increased work load without the use of additional resources.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Western Wayne Correctional Facility and Camp Brighton. 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 methodology included examination of WWCF and CB records and activities for the period October 1996 through October 1999. We conducted a preliminary review of WWCF and CB operations. This included discussions with various WWCF and CB staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and WWCF and CB operating procedures. To gain an understanding of WWCF and CB 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 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 9 findings and 10 corresponding recommendations. WWCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations.