ALGER MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP CUSINO

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4720698
ALGER MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP CUSINO

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in August 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Alger Maximum Correctional Facility (AMCF) and Camp Cusino (CC), 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
AMCF and CC are located in Alger county. CC was annexed to AMCF on August 10, 1997 as part of the administrative reorganization of the Corrections Camp Program. One warden oversees the operation of both facilities. The DOC director appoints the warden, who is classified under the State civil service system.

AMCF and CC are approximately eight miles from each other and share the following: business office, mailroom, personnel office, records office, training office, and fire safety.

The mission of AMCF and CC is to protect society by providing a secure setting for prisoners. AMCF opened in 1990 and occupies 78 acres and 10 buildings with approximately 24 acres being within a secured, fenced perimeter that is guarded by alert response vehicles and five guard towers. AMCF housed an average of 527 level V maximum security male prisoners in fiscal year 1997-98. CC opened in 1980 and occupies 40 acres and 5 buildings with approximately 4 acres being within a secured, fenced perimeter. CC housed an average of 311 level I minimum security male prisoners in fiscal year 1997-98.

For fiscal year 1997-98, AMCF and CC operating expenditures were approximately $19.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 1998, AMCF had 326 employees and CC had 60 employees.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that AMCF's and CC'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 AMCF and CC prisoner shakedowns and cell searches, CC employee shakedowns, and AMCF tool control (Findings 1 through 3).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: AMCF is accredited by the American Correctional Association. The American Correctional Association is a private, nonprofit organization that administers a national accreditation program for all components of adult and juvenile corrections. The accreditation program offers the opportunity to management to evaluate its operations against national standards. The recognized benefits from such a process are a better understanding of policies and procedures by staff, a safer and more humane environment for personnel and offenders, and improved staff morale and professionalism. Accreditation is awarded to the "best of the best" in the corrections field. The standards used for accreditation address services, programs, and operations essential to good correctional management. They include administrative and fiscal controls, staff training and development, physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, sanitation, food service, and rules and discipline.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that AMCF's and CC's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to AMCF's and CC's preventative maintenance activities, disaster management manual, testing of emergency generators, fire safety, and food service operations (Findings 4 through 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Alger Maximum Correctional Facility and Camp Cusino. 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 AMCF and CC records and activities for the period October 1995 through October 1998. Our audit methodology included a preliminary survey of AMCF and CC operations. This included discussions with various AMCF and CC staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records and DOC, AMCF, and CC policy directives and procedures. In addition, we reviewed various AMCF and CC management, staff, and committee meeting minutes and reports. We conducted tests of records related to safety and security, prisoner care, and preventative maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall 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 9 corresponding recommendations. AMCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4720698 - ALGER MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP CUSINO

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This page was created on 08/06/99.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in August 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Alger Maximum Correctional Facility (AMCF) and Camp Cusino (CC), 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 AMCF and CC are located in Alger county. CC was annexed to AMCF on August 10, 1997 as part of the administrative reorganization of the Corrections Camp Program. One warden oversees the operation of both facilities. The DOC director appoints the warden, who is classified under the State civil service system. AMCF and CC are approximately eight miles from each other and share the following: business office, mailroom, personnel office, records office, training office, and fire safety. The mission of AMCF and CC is to protect society by providing a secure setting for prisoners. AMCF opened in 1990 and occupies 78 acres and 10 buildings with approximately 24 acres being within a secured, fenced perimeter that is guarded by alert response vehicles and five guard towers. AMCF housed an average of 527 level V maximum security male prisoners in fiscal year 1997-98. CC opened in 1980 and occupies 40 acres and 5 buildings with approximately 4 acres being within a secured, fenced perimeter. CC housed an average of 311 level I minimum security male prisoners in fiscal year 1997-98. For fiscal year 1997-98, AMCF and CC operating expenditures were approximately $19.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 1998, AMCF had 326 employees and CC had 60 employees.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of AMCF's and CC's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that AMCF's and CC'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 AMCF and CC prisoner shakedowns and cell searches, CC employee shakedowns, and AMCF tool control (Findings 1 through 3). Noteworthy Accomplishments: AMCF is accredited by the American Correctional Association. The American Correctional Association is a private, nonprofit organization that administers a national accreditation program for all components of adult and juvenile corrections. The accreditation program offers the opportunity to management to evaluate its operations against national standards. The recognized benefits from such a process are a better understanding of policies and procedures by staff, a safer and more humane environment for personnel and offenders, and improved staff morale and professionalism. Accreditation is awarded to the "best of the best" in the corrections field. The standards used for accreditation address services, programs, and operations essential to good correctional management. They include administrative and fiscal controls, staff training and development, physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, sanitation, food service, and rules and discipline. Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of AMCF's and CC's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that AMCF's and CC's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to AMCF's and CC's preventative maintenance activities, disaster management manual, testing of emergency generators, fire safety, and food service operations (Findings 4 through 8).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Alger Maximum Correctional Facility and Camp Cusino. 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 AMCF and CC records and activities for the period October 1995 through October 1998. Our audit methodology included a preliminary survey of AMCF and CC operations. This included discussions with various AMCF and CC staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records and DOC, AMCF, and CC policy directives and procedures. In addition, we reviewed various AMCF and CC management, staff, and committee meeting minutes and reports. We conducted tests of records related to safety and security, prisoner care, and preventative maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and overall 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 9 corresponding recommendations. AMCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations.