OAKS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, CAMP PUGSLEY, AND CAMP SAUBLE

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4722299
OAKS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, CAMP PUGSLEY, AND CAMP SAUBLE

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in May 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Oaks Correctional Facility (OCF), Camp Pugsley (CP), and Camp Sauble (CS), 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
DOC has jurisdiction over OCF, located in Manistee County; CP, located in Grand Traverse County; and CS, located in Mason County. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is appointed by the DOC director.

The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. OCF, which opened in March 1992, is a maximum security (level V) facility for males, with a capacity of 744 prisoners. General population prisoners and administrative segregation prisoners are housed in individual cells, whereas prisoners in protective housing are housed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter. CP and CS, which were placed under the jurisdiction of OCF in August 1997, have capacities of 154 and 156 minimum security (level I) male prisoners, respectively, within a fenced perimeter.

For fiscal year 1998-99, OCF, CP, and CS operating expenditures were approximately $25.1 million, $2.7 million, and $2.8 million, respectively. As of October 28, 1999, OCF, CP, and CS had 393, 36, and 38 employees, respectively.

In February 2000 (subsequent to the completion of our audit fieldwork), DOC initiated plans to convert CP to an independent secure level I facility that will be administered by a separate warden.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of OCF's, CP's, and CS's safety and security operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's, CP's, and CS'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 and firearm certification (Findings 1 and 2).

Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of OCF's, CP's, and CS's prisoner care and maintenance operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's, CP's, and CS's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to safety inspections and preventive maintenance (Finding 3).

Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of OCF's Reforming Education Strengthening Through Alternative Restructured Treatment (RESTART) Program.

Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's RESTART Program was generally effective.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Oaks Correctional Facility, Camp Pugsley, and Camp Sauble. 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 OCF, CP, and CS records and activities for the period October 1997 through October 1999.

Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of facility operations. This included discussions with various facility staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and facility operating procedures. To gain an understanding of facility 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. Also, we examined the results of OCF's annual evaluation of its RESTART Program. 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 3 findings and 6 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that OCF has complied or will comply with the 6 recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4722299 - OAKS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, CAMP PUGSLEY, AND CAMP SAUBLE

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This page was created on May 25, 2000.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in May 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Oaks Correctional Facility (OCF), Camp Pugsley (CP), and Camp Sauble (CS), 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 DOC has jurisdiction over OCF, located in Manistee County; CP, located in Grand Traverse County; and CS, located in Mason County. The warden, who is the chief administrative officer for these facilities, is appointed by the DOC director. The mission of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. OCF, which opened in March 1992, is a maximum security (level V) facility for males, with a capacity of 744 prisoners. General population prisoners and administrative segregation prisoners are housed in individual cells, whereas prisoners in protective housing are housed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter. CP and CS, which were placed under the jurisdiction of OCF in August 1997, have capacities of 154 and 156 minimum security (level I) male prisoners, respectively, within a fenced perimeter. For fiscal year 1998-99, OCF, CP, and CS operating expenditures were approximately $25.1 million, $2.7 million, and $2.8 million, respectively. As of October 28, 1999, OCF, CP, and CS had 393, 36, and 38 employees, respectively. In February 2000 (subsequent to the completion of our audit fieldwork), DOC initiated plans to convert CP to an independent secure level I facility that will be administered by a separate warden.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of OCF's, CP's, and CS's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's, CP's, and CS'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 and firearm certification (Findings 1 and 2). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of OCF's, CP's, and CS's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's, CP's, and CS's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted a reportable condition related to safety inspections and preventive maintenance (Finding 3). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of OCF's Reforming Education Strengthening Through Alternative Restructured Treatment (RESTART) Program. Conclusion: We concluded that OCF's RESTART Program was generally effective.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Oaks Correctional Facility, Camp Pugsley, and Camp Sauble. 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 OCF, CP, and CS records and activities for the period October 1997 through October 1999. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of facility operations. This included discussions with various facility staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and facility operating procedures. To gain an understanding of facility 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. Also, we examined the results of OCF's annual evaluation of its RESTART Program. 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 3 findings and 6 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that OCF has complied or will comply with the 6 recommendations.