HD41 - Interim Report on Central and Regional Staffing in the Department of Corrections

  • Published: 1984
  • Author: Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
  • Enabling Authority: Appropriation Act - Item 545 1. (Regular Session, 1983)

Executive Summary:
Item 545.1 of the 1983 Appropriations Act directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study manpower utilization in the Department of Corrections. The item specifically requested an examination of the utilization and need for existing or anticipated central office and regional staff. As amended by the 1984 General Assembly, the Act calls for subsequent parts of the study to include a review of security and non-security manpower, plans to increase manpower in relation to projected growth in the inmate population, local jail population projections, and the effectiveness of the department's capital outlay planning process, prison design, and diversion programs.

This interim report reviews central and regional office staffing. On the basis of our initial review criteria, the central office appears, in general, to be appropriately staffed. The report recommends a reduction of eight central office positions, and identifies several areas where further review may be necessary to reach a final determination about the appropriateness of staffing.

An important question addressed in this report is whether the regional level of management is needed. We found that establishment of the regions has addressed important management objectives. Several efficiencies could be achieved in regional office staffing, however, including the elimination of one regional office and a reduction of as many as 35 positions. These efficiencies could be achieved with little overall impact on the level of services provided by the department's regional staff.

An important recommendation of this report is to provide time for the department to make the transition to four regional offices. Consequently, we recommend that the department phase in these changes by July 1985.

Two of the recommendations in this report were implemented by the 1984 General Assembly. These include the recommended elimination of the administrative assistant position in the northern regional office, and the reduction of secretarial positions in all regional offices. These changes will save the Commonwealth $147,000 annually and reduce department staffing by 14 positions.