Corrections fares better in latest audit

The Utah Department of Corrections did much better in a performance audit released this afternoon at the Legislature.

The audit was a follow-up to a damning report that led to an overhaul at the troubled prison system. Management was replaced and sweeping changes were made.

"Management of the Utah Department of Corrections has taken positive steps to improve the department's operations," the latest report by the state's Office of the Legislative Auditor General said.

The audit praised corrections officials for taking positive steps to curtail the appearance of favoritism within corrections, improved oversight of employee training, vehicle use and discipline, and improved its internal affairs division for greater independence.

"Some minor issues noted in the previous report continue," the audit said. "Some adjustments are still being worked out with the new training control system and improvements are still needed with the policy compliance of the reserve officer program. However, we believe the department, in most cases, has implemented the recommendations of the audit."

Lawmakers will see the review at a hearing this afternoon on Utah's Capitol Hill and will question corrections boss Tom Patterson about it.

"Overall, we are pleased that your report reflects the considerable effort we have made to correct the problems you identified in the original audit," Patterson wrote in an agency response. "We are still early in the process of changing our organizational culture and improving our working environment."

It was a scathing legislative audit in 2006 that described a culture of a "good ol' boys club" of favoritism. It also found abuse of state vehicle privileges, a lack of employee training, disproportionate discipline and low morale.

The audit prompted Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to oust then-corrections chief Scott Carver, replacing him with Patterson — who had no corrections experience. Patterson made sweeping changes in corrections administration and implemented a series of internal audits to make improvements. Those were noted in this latest legislative audit.

"Much of the progress experienced over this past year has stemmed from insights and concerns pointed out in your initial audit," Patterson wrote. "We are appreciative of this assistance and have used the audit as a resource in creating our blueprint for cultural change."