RYAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4723200
RYAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in September 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Ryan Correctional Facility (RCF), 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
RCF, located in Wayne County, is under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the facility's chief administrative officer, is a classified State employee under the State's civil service system. The warden is appointed by the DOC director.

The mission of RCF is to protect the public by providing a secure, safe, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. RCF, which opened in 1991, is a medium security (level II) and close security (level IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,044 prisoners.

RCF's operating expenditures were approximately $22.3 million for fiscal year 1998-99. As of February 3, 2000, RCF had 362 employees.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of RCF's safety and security operations.

Conclusion: We concluded that RCF's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient in preventing escapes and protecting staff and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to cell searches, prisoner program evaluations, and security monitoring exercises (Findings 1 through 3).

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

Conclusion: We concluded that RCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to preventive maintenance, emergency backup generator testing, the prisoner store, and reconciliation of the Resident Accounting Credit Card System (RACCS) and the Michigan Administrative Information Network (MAIN) (Findings 4 through 7).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Ryan 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 RCF records and activities for the period October 1997 through February 2000. We conducted a preliminary review of RCF operations. This included discussions with various RCF staff regarding their functions and responsibilities; tests of program records; and a review of DOC policy directives, DOC procedures, and RCF operating procedures. Also, we conducted tests of records related to safety and security operations and prisoner care and maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and for overall program effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facility.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our audit report contains 7 findings and 8 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that RCF has complied or will comply with the 8 recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4723200 - RYAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

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This page was created on August 31, 2000.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in September 2000, contains the results of our performance audit of the Ryan Correctional Facility (RCF), 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 RCF, located in Wayne County, is under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden, who is the facility's chief administrative officer, is a classified State employee under the State's civil service system. The warden is appointed by the DOC director. The mission of RCF is to protect the public by providing a secure, safe, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. RCF, which opened in 1991, is a medium security (level II) and close security (level IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,044 prisoners. RCF's operating expenditures were approximately $22.3 million for fiscal year 1998-99. As of February 3, 2000, RCF had 362 employees.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of RCF's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that RCF's safety and security operations were generally effective and efficient in preventing escapes and protecting staff and prisoners from serious injury. However, we noted reportable conditions related to cell searches, prisoner program evaluations, and security monitoring exercises (Findings 1 through 3). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of RCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that RCF's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to preventive maintenance, emergency backup generator testing, the prisoner store, and reconciliation of the Resident Accounting Credit Card System (RACCS) and the Michigan Administrative Information Network (MAIN) (Findings 4 through 7).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Ryan 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 RCF records and activities for the period October 1997 through February 2000. We conducted a preliminary review of RCF operations. This included discussions with various RCF staff regarding their functions and responsibilities; tests of program records; and a review of DOC policy directives, DOC procedures, and RCF operating procedures. Also, we conducted tests of records related to safety and security operations and prisoner care and maintenance operations for compliance with applicable policies and procedures and for overall program effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, we developed a survey (see supplemental information) requesting input from individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facility.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our audit report contains 7 findings and 8 corresponding recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that RCF has complied or will comply with the 8 recommendations.