Probation and parole process, Probation and Parole Bureau, Department of Corrections : limited scope performance audit

52 Pages·1996·1.3 MB·English

by  Montana. Legislature. Legislative Audit Division

S Montana*
J51.7232Legislature*
L72ppp Legislative Audit
1996 ProJaation and
parole process?
Probation and
Parole Bureau*
L/Cgislative Audit Division
State ofMontana
Report to the Legislature
Limited Scope Performance Audit
March 1996
Probation and Parole Process
Probation and Parole Bureau
Department ofCorrections
This report contains informationontheadult probationand parole
process. The areas addressed include:
Potentialaudit areas.
Staffmonitoring.
Programoutcomes.
STATE DCCUMENTS COLLECTION
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1
PERFORMANCEAUDITS
Performance audits conducted by the Legislative Audit Division are designed to assess state
government operations. From the audit work, a determination is made as to whether agencies
and programs are accomplishing their purposes, and whether they can do so with greater
efficiency and economy. In performing the audit work, the audit staffuses audit standards set
forth by the United States General Accounting Office.
Members of the performance audit staff hold degrees in disciplines appropriate to the audit
process. Areas ofexpertise include business and public administration, statistics, economics,
computer science, communications, and engineering.
Performance audits are performed at the requestofthe Legislative Audit Committee which is a
bicameral andbipartisanstandingcommitteeoftheMontat^aLegislature. Thecommitteeconsists
ofsix members ofthe Senate and six members ofthe House ofRepresentatives.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITCOMMITTEE
Senator Greg Jergeson, Vice Chairman RepresentativeErnestBergsagel,Chairman
Senator Sue Bartlett Representative Beverly Barnhart
Senator Reiny Jabs Representative A. R. "Toni" Hagener
Senator Tom Keating Representative Bob Keenan
Senator Ken Miller Representative Robert Pavlovich
Senator Linda Nelson Representative Bruce Simon
DmATE DUE
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[Montana
^ '-n^'^'^P^^ Legislative Audit Division
"^^.^j^anCn
scoua. Seacat, LegislativeAuditor
March 1996
The Legislative Audit Committee
ofthe Montana State Legislature:
This is our limited scope performance audit ofthe Adult Probation and Parole Process
administered by the Community Corrections Division in the Department ofCorrections.
This report contains information on potential audit areas and recommendations for
improving the management process. Responses from the Department ofCorrections are
contained at the end ofthe report.
We wish to express our appreciation to the department and the staffofthe Community
Corrections Division for their cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
sg^
Room 136.StateCapitolBuilding POBox201706 HelenaMT69620-1706
Phone[phone] FAX[phone]

Legislative Audit Division
Limited Scope Performance Audit
Probation and Parole Process
Probation and Parole Bureau
Department of Corrections
Members ofthe audit staffinvolved in this audit were: Angie Grove. Susan
Jensen, Kent Wilcox, and Miice Wingard.

Table of Contents
List ofTables and Figures iii
Appointed and Administrative Officials iv
Report Summary S-1
ChapterI Introduction 1
Introduction
Audit Objectives 1
Audit Scope and Methodology 2
Changes That Will Impact Community Corrections Programs 3
Sentencing Commission Study 3
Department Reorganization 3
Potential Future Areas for Study 4
Management Memorandum 6
H
Chapter Introduction 7
Background
Probation and Parole Administration 7
What is Probation and Parole? 9
Probation 9
Parole 10
Intensive Supervision Program 10
InterstateCompact 11
Who is Supervised by PPB Staff? 12
How are Offenders Supervised? 13
Program Funding Levels 15
m
Chapter Introduction 17
Current Probation and
Parole Process What Type ofFiles Did We Review? 17
Bureau Files Document Compliance with Supervision
Standards 18
Areas ofPotential Policy Noncompliance Identified 19
Drug and Alcohol Analyses 19
Evidence Controls 19
Assessment Overrides 20
Organization ofFile Information 20
Probation and Parole Violations 20
Page
Table of Contents
StaffMonitoring Can Be Improved 21
Overall Management Controls Over the Current Process .... 22
Chapter IV Introduction 23
Bureau Activities
Compared to Policy What Steps Has PPB Taken to Ensure Legislative
Policy is Followed? 23
Is the Bureau Measuring Effectiveness? 23
Conclusion 25
Agency Response Department ofCorrections 29
Pageii
List ofTables and Figures
Table 1 PPB Supervision Standards
For Probation and Parole 14
Table 2 Probation and Parole Bureau Funding 15
Table 3 Number ofFiles With Violations
And Types ofViolations Noted 21
Figure 1 Probation and Parole Bureau Organization 7
Figure 2 Probation and Parole Program Offices 8
Figure 3 Average Daily Populations ofMontana
Adult Corrections Programs For Fiscal
Years 1990 through 1995 13
Figure 4 Status ofSampled Offenders 18
Pageiii
Appointed and Administrative Officials
Department of Rick Day, Director
Corrections
Community Corrections Mike Ferriter, Administrator
Division
Probation and Parole Mary Fay, Acting Bureau Chief
Bureau
R^onal Supervisors Sam Lemaich, Missoula
Ron Aisbury, Helena
Mike Gersach, Great Falls
Phil Sanderson, Billings
Gene Gemignani, Kalispell
Page iv