Chippewa Correctional Institutions

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4724697
Chippewa Correctional Institutions

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in December 1997, contains the results of our performance audit of the Chippewa Correctional Institutions (CCI), Department of Corrections.

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
CCI, located in Kincheloe, includes the Chippewa Correctional Facility (CCF) and the Chippewa Temporary Correctional Facility (CTCF). The warden is the chief administrative officer for both facilities. The Department director appoints the warden, who is classified under the State civil service system.

The mission of CCI is to protect society by providing a secure setting for prisoners. CCF opened in 1989 and occupies 52 acres and 13 buildings with approximately 22 acres within a secured, fenced perimeter. CCF houses approximately 1,134 minimum, medium, and close security male prisoners. CTCF opened in 1988 and occupies 28 acres and 9 pole buildings with approximately 24 acres within a secured, fenced perimeter. CTCF houses approximately 960 medium security male prisoners. The facilities are also responsible for maintaining a 22-acre regional firing range with 2 buildings.

For fiscal year 1995-96, CCI operating expenditures were approximately $39.8 million. As of July 27, 1997, CCI had 619 employees.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS

Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of CCI's safety and security operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's safety and security operations were generally effective in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, CCI could improve effectiveness related to firearms qualification, gate manifests, and metal detector calibration (Findings 1 through 3).

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

Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, CCI could improve the effectiveness of fire safety inspections (Finding 4).

Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of CCI's fiscal controls.

Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's fiscal controls were generally effective. However, CCI could improve the effectiveness of fiscal controls related to prisoner funds (Finding 5).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Chippewa Correctional Institutions. Our audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and 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 CCI records and activities for the period October 1994 through August 1997. We conducted a preliminary survey of CCI's operations. This included discussions with various CCI staff and review of applicable Department and CCI policy directives and procedures, various committee meeting minutes, and evaluation reports to gain an understanding of CCI activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit. We analyzed safety and security, prisoner care, maintenance, and fiscal control activities for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall program effectiveness. We also analyzed prisoner care and maintenance operations for efficiency.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our report contains 5 findings and 6 recommendations. The agency indicated that it agrees with all the recommendations and that it has complied with or will take steps to comply with all the recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4724697 - Chippewa Correctional Institutions

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INTRODUCTION This report, issued in December 1997, contains the results of our performance audit of the Chippewa Correctional Institutions (CCI), Department of Corrections.

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 CCI, located in Kincheloe, includes the Chippewa Correctional Facility (CCF) and the Chippewa Temporary Correctional Facility (CTCF). The warden is the chief administrative officer for both facilities. The Department director appoints the warden, who is classified under the State civil service system. The mission of CCI is to protect society by providing a secure setting for prisoners. CCF opened in 1989 and occupies 52 acres and 13 buildings with approximately 22 acres within a secured, fenced perimeter. CCF houses approximately 1,134 minimum, medium, and close security male prisoners. CTCF opened in 1988 and occupies 28 acres and 9 pole buildings with approximately 24 acres within a secured, fenced perimeter. CTCF houses approximately 960 medium security male prisoners. The facilities are also responsible for maintaining a 22-acre regional firing range with 2 buildings. For fiscal year 1995-96, CCI operating expenditures were approximately $39.8 million. As of July 27, 1997, CCI had 619 employees.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of CCI's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's safety and security operations were generally effective in preventing escapes and protecting employees and prisoners from serious injury. However, CCI could improve effectiveness related to firearms qualification, gate manifests, and metal detector calibration (Findings 1 through 3). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of CCI's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, CCI could improve the effectiveness of fire safety inspections (Finding 4). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of CCI's fiscal controls. Conclusion: We concluded that CCI's fiscal controls were generally effective. However, CCI could improve the effectiveness of fiscal controls related to prisoner funds (Finding 5).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Chippewa Correctional Institutions. Our audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and 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 CCI records and activities for the period October 1994 through August 1997. We conducted a preliminary survey of CCI's operations. This included discussions with various CCI staff and review of applicable Department and CCI policy directives and procedures, various committee meeting minutes, and evaluation reports to gain an understanding of CCI activities and to form a basis for selecting certain operations for audit. We analyzed safety and security, prisoner care, maintenance, and fiscal control activities for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall program effectiveness. We also analyzed prisoner care and maintenance operations for efficiency.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our report contains 5 findings and 6 recommendations. The agency indicated that it agrees with all the recommendations and that it has complied with or will take steps to comply with all the recommendations.