Corrections gets praise for changes
Department has taken positive steps, audit says
"Last year we had to dress down the Department of Corrections a little bit because the audit was so harsh," the Orem Republican said. "This year we compliment you and we're glad to compliment you."
The Utah Department of Corrections has made positive changes to a troubled prison system, a performance audit revealed Friday. It was released during a meeting of the audit subcommittee of the Legislative Management Committee.
It was a follow-up to a damning report that led to a department-wide shake-up. Almost 70 percent of corrections management was replaced, and policy 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 steps to curtail the appearance of favoritism within corrections, improved oversight of employee training, vehicle use and discipline, and improvements in its internal affairs division for greater independence.
Patterson left the state Capitol smiling.
"It certainly is a compliment to the entire department," he said Friday.
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 vehicles, a lack of employee training, disproportionate discipline and low morale.
The audit prompted Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to put Patterson, who had no corrections experience, in charge. Patterson made sweeping changes in corrections administration and implemented a series of internal audits to monitor improvements. Those were noted in this latest legislative audit.
Patterson admitted to the Deseret Morning News a culture of favoritism still exists within corrections.
"I think, to an extent, it does," he said, adding that change is still happening.
"This is something that's going to take some time. We have to get complete buy-in from all our employees, and we're still earning trust," he said.
It has not been an easy year for the Utah Department of Corrections. Amid internal turmoil, a corrections officer was slain and three inmates escaped from county jails.
Patterson is pushing lawmakers to help him by increasing funding for corrections. The governor's budget recommends hiring more officers and increasing security at county jails.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
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