STANDISH MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP LEHMAN

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

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #4727799
STANDISH MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP LEHMAN

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in October 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Standish Maximum Security Correctional Facility (SMSCF) and Camp Lehman (CL), 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
SMSCF, located in Arenac County, and CL, located in Crawford County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. 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. SMSCF, which opened in April 1990, is a maximum security (level V) facility for males, with a capacity of 518 prisoners. Prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, fenced perimeter. CL, which was placed under the jurisdiction of SMSCF in August 1997, has a capacity of 342 minimum security (level I) male prisoners within a fenced perimeter.

For fiscal year 1997-98, SMSCF and CL operating expenditures were approximately $21.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively. As of March 1, 1999, SMSCF and CL had 341 and 84 employees, respectively.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that SMSCF's and CL'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 threat group (STG) prisoners, arsenal operations, concealed weapon permits and firearms qualifications, employee searches, weekly security inspections, security, safety plans, and community liaison (Findings 1 through 8).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: SMSCF has been reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections of the American Correctional Association. Also, CL prisoner public work crews were recognized for their efforts in assisting the City of Gaylord in cleaning up serious damage after a May 1998 storm. Further, we were informed that various police agencies have commented that the security staff at SMSCF and CL have obtained information through STG monitoring which has proven valuable in various law enforcement investigations.

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

Conclusion: We concluded that SMSCF's and CL's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to consolidation of prison operations and meal production (Findings 9 and 10).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Standish Maximum Security Correctional Facility and Camp Lehman. 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 SMSCF and CL records and activities for the period October 1996 through February 1999. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of SMSCF and CL operations. This included discussions with various SMSCF and CL staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and review of program records and DOC policy directives and SMSCF and CL operating procedures. To gain an understanding of SMSCF and CL 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. In addition, we developed a survey requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our audit report includes 10 findings and 11 recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that SMSCF partially or fully agrees with and has complied or has taken action to comply with the 11 recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #4727799 - STANDISH MAXIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND CAMP LEHMAN

Documents prefaced by require the Adobe Acrobat Reader®, a free application available on the Adobe homepage.

This page was created on October 28, 1999.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in October 1999, contains the results of our performance audit of the Standish Maximum Security Correctional Facility (SMSCF) and Camp Lehman (CL), 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 SMSCF, located in Arenac County, and CL, located in Crawford County, are under the jurisdiction of DOC. 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. SMSCF, which opened in April 1990, is a maximum security (level V) facility for males, with a capacity of 518 prisoners. Prisoners are housed in individual cells within a secured, fenced perimeter. CL, which was placed under the jurisdiction of SMSCF in August 1997, has a capacity of 342 minimum security (level I) male prisoners within a fenced perimeter. For fiscal year 1997-98, SMSCF and CL operating expenditures were approximately $21.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively. As of March 1, 1999, SMSCF and CL had 341 and 84 employees, respectively.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of SMSCF's and CL's safety and security operations. Conclusion: We concluded that SMSCF's and CL'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 threat group (STG) prisoners, arsenal operations, concealed weapon permits and firearms qualifications, employee searches, weekly security inspections, security, safety plans, and community liaison (Findings 1 through 8). Noteworthy Accomplishments: SMSCF has been reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections of the American Correctional Association. Also, CL prisoner public work crews were recognized for their efforts in assisting the City of Gaylord in cleaning up serious damage after a May 1998 storm. Further, we were informed that various police agencies have commented that the security staff at SMSCF and CL have obtained information through STG monitoring which has proven valuable in various law enforcement investigations. Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of SMSCF's and CL's prisoner care and maintenance operations. Conclusion: We concluded that SMSCF's and CL's prisoner care and maintenance operations were generally effective and efficient. However, we noted reportable conditions related to consolidation of prison operations and meal production (Findings 9 and 10).

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the Standish Maximum Security Correctional Facility and Camp Lehman. 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 SMSCF and CL records and activities for the period October 1996 through February 1999. Our audit methodology included a preliminary review of SMSCF and CL operations. This included discussions with various SMSCF and CL staff regarding their functions and responsibilities and review of program records and DOC policy directives and SMSCF and CL operating procedures. To gain an understanding of SMSCF and CL 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. In addition, we developed a survey requesting input from certain individuals and businesses regarding their association with the facilities.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our audit report includes 10 findings and 11 recommendations. DOC's preliminary response indicated that SMSCF partially or fully agrees with and has complied or has taken action to comply with the 11 recommendations.