THUMB CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP TUSCOLA

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4727599
THUMB CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP TUSCOLA

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in December 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Thumb Correctional Facility (TCF) and Camp Tuscola (CT), 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
TCF, located in Lapeer County, and CT, located in Tuscola County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden is appointed by the DOC director.

The primary goal of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. TCF, which opened in October 1987, is a medium and close security (levels II and IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,016 prisoners. Prisoners are housed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle. CT, which was placed under the jurisdiction of TCF in August 1997, has a capacity of 260 minimum security (level I) male prisoners. CT has two sites that are less than one mile apart and each site is within a fenced perimeter.

For fiscal year 1997-98, TCF and CT operating expenditures were approximately $18.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively. As of May 31, 1999, TCF and CT had 327 and 62 employees, respectively.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that TCF's and CT'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 weapons qualifications and prisoner shakedowns and cell searches (Findings 1 and 2).

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

Conclusion: We concluded that TCF's and CT's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective. However, we noted reportable conditions related to fire safety and physical plant inspections, the disaster management plan, prisoner store operations, and the revolving fund inventory (Findings 3 through 6).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Thumb Correctional Facility and Camp Tuscola. 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 TCF and CT records and activities for the period January 1997 through May 1999. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of TCF and CT operations. This included discussions with various TCF and CT staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and TCF and CT operating procedures. To gain an understanding of TCF and CT 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 for effectiveness. In addition, we developed a survey requesting input from area residents and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES AND PRIOR AUDIT FOLLOW-UP
Our audit report includes 6 findings and 6 corresponding recommendations. TCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations.

TCF complied with 6 of the 7 prior audit recommendations included within the scope of our current audit. The other recommendation is repeated in this report.

Full Audit Report - #4727599 - THUMB CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP TUSCOLA

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This page was created on 12/14/99.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in December 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Thumb Correctional Facility (TCF) and Camp Tuscola (CT), 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 TCF, located in Lapeer County, and CT, located in Tuscola County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. The warden is appointed by the DOC director. The primary goal of the facilities is to protect the public by providing a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and prisoners. TCF, which opened in October 1987, is a medium and close security (levels II and IV) facility for males, with a capacity of 1,016 prisoners. Prisoners are housed two to a cell within a secured, fenced perimeter that includes motion detection systems, two gun towers, and an armed response vehicle. CT, which was placed under the jurisdiction of TCF in August 1997, has a capacity of 260 minimum security (level I) male prisoners. CT has two sites that are less than one mile apart and each site is within a fenced perimeter. For fiscal year 1997-98, TCF and CT operating expenditures were approximately $18.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively. As of May 31, 1999, TCF and CT had 327 and 62 employees, respectively.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of TCF's and CT's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that TCF's and CT'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 weapons qualifications and prisoner shakedowns and cell searches (Findings 1 and 2). Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness of TCF's and CT's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that TCF's and CT's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective. However, we noted reportable conditions related to fire safety and physical plant inspections, the disaster management plan, prisoner store operations, and the revolving fund inventory (Findings 3 through 6).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Thumb Correctional Facility and Camp Tuscola. 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 TCF and CT records and activities for the period January 1997 through May 1999. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of TCF and CT operations. This included discussions with various TCF and CT staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and a review of program records, DOC policy directives, and TCF and CT operating procedures. To gain an understanding of TCF and CT 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 for effectiveness. In addition, we developed a survey requesting input from area residents and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES AND PRIOR AUDIT FOLLOW-UP Our audit report includes 6 findings and 6 corresponding recommendations. TCF agreed with all of the findings and informed us that it either has complied or will comply with the recommendations. TCF complied with 6 of the 7 prior audit recommendations included within the scope of our current audit. The other recommendation is repeated in this report.