Audit Division Audit Summary Department of Prisons Inmate Classification Report LA98-19

Results in Brief

Appropriate inmate classification is essential to running a safe and economical prison system. Accordingly, the Department of Prisons' inmate classification process is designed to place inmates in a custody that ensures safety while economically using state funds. Well documented in policies and procedures, the classification process aims to achieve safety by managing inmate risk. In addition, the process is supported by a computer system that automates many classification functions and provides management the ability to monitor performance.

Although the classification process is well designed, even minimal classification errors can jeopardize public safety and result in the State spending thousands of dollars more than necessary to incarcerate criminals. We identified some inmates not classified to the lowest appropriate custody and some inmates in a custody for which they were not eligible. By expanding its use of the computer system, improving some classification functions, and strengthening certain management controls, DOP can further ensure classification errors do not occur.

Principal Findings

1. DOP's classification process is designed to place inmates in a safe and economical custody. However, improvements can be made that will further ensure inmates are appropriately classified, because even a few classification errors can risk public safety and unnecessarily increase the cost to incarcerate an inmate. (page 12)

2. Some DOP classification practices do not always ensure inmates are placed in the lowest appropriate custody. As a result, inmates that should have been at minimum custody remained at medium custody. Over- classifying inmates costs the State money. The estimated financial impact of the inappropriately classified inmates is about $50,000, but the full benefit of improving certain classification practices is larger. (page 16)

3. Between 1994 and 1997, 10 percent of the inmates, which we tested, that walked away from DOP facilities were not in the proper custody. Nearly all of the inmates were sentenced to an additional prison term for the walkaway. We estimate this extra prison time will cost the State up to $500,000. (page 20)

4. Opportunities to enhance the classification process exist within DOP. The Department has the ability to prevent misclassification and make the process more efficient. This can be done by ensuring staff fully utilize the Nevada Corrections Information System (NCIS) for inmate classification and expanding the data stored in NCIS. (page 23)

5. DOP does not fully use important management controls that can help ensure appropriate classification. For instance, evaluations of institutional classification practices have not been conducted; Central Office and the institutions do not make full use of management reports to review classification; and the Department has a limited review process for some close custody inmates. In addition, DOP lacks adequate technical support for NCIS maintenance. (page 25)

Agency Response to Audit Recommendations

Recommendation
Number Accepted Rejected

1 Revise policies and procedures for hold/
    detainer verification and inmate health
    classification and ensure staff perform
    timely verification and adequate follow-up....                 X

2 Revise Department policy to provide sufficient
    definitions of minimum custody eligibility
    criteria and ensure staff consistently apply
    policy...........................................................               X

3 Conduct inmate health classification within
the times established in policy..................... X

4   Ensure inmates classified to minimum
     custody and the restitution centers meet
     eligibility criteria...........................................               X

5   Train staff to better use NCIS for classification
      including how to accurately enter classifica-
      tion data and generate management reports.               X

6   Create adequate technical support for NCIS
      maintenance by training more than one staff
      person to program and administer the
      computer system........................................                X

7    Expand the classification data stored in NCIS
      to include classification action histories and
      disciplinary details.......................................               X

8    Conduct Central Office evaluations of
      institutional and facility classification
      practices.....................................................              X

9    Evaluate the Chief of Classification and
      Planning's authority to ensure it is sufficient
      for the department-wide management of
      classification................................................              X

10 Include Central Office in the review process for
all inmates classified to close custody
because of a life in prison sentence............ X

TOTALS 10 0