Introduction

Organization/Duties

The Office of the Inspector General and its two bureaus, State Investigations and Internal Audit, perform the following functions:

1. Conduct investigations, audits, and reviews relating to the staff, programs, contracts and operations of the department.
2. Inform the Secretary of fraud, abuse, and deficiencies relating to programs and operations administered by the department; recommend corrective action; and report on progress made in implementing corrective action.
3. Advise in the development of performance measures and standards for the evaluation of agency programs.
4. Operate the contraband interdiction and inmate drug testing programs.
5. Coordinate department activities required by the Whistle-blower's Act and Get Lean Hot-Line program.
6. Provide effective coordination and cooperation with the Auditor General, OPPAGA, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
7. As a member of the Governor's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (GCIE), share ideas with other inspectors general for improving the IG function and coordinating activities that cross agency lines.

Vision:  Enhancing Public Trust in Government.

Mission:  Provide leadership in the promotion of accountability and integrity of State Government.

Goal:  Add value to organization.

1. Providing timely and useful information to decision makers;
2. Identifying state-wide risks and issues;
3. Surveying stakeholders - senior management and others - to determine satisfaction and needs; and
4. Improving systems of internal control to help assure the integrity - accuracy and compliance - of information used by decision makers

Specific Areas of Responsibility

To meet the growing needs of a rapidly expanding Department of Corrections, the Office of the Inspector General has had to maximize the efficient use of its resources by addressing those matters of greatest concern and vulnerability to fraud and abuse. Specific functions and the benefits they provide are as follows:

1. Manage a statewide computerized management information network and coordinate this activity with designated key managers.
   • Provide a daily incident/event reporting system from all areas of the department, enabling early identification of problems and timely allocation of investigative resources.
   • Collect statewide data for use by key correctional managers in developing strategies to address problems.
   • Provide for the systematic and coordinated flow of information to the Public Information Office regarding issues of importance to the public and the department.
   • Provide leadership in the department's effort to maintain a strong, formal, cooperative working relationship with the Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement and investigative agencies.
   
   
2. Conduct criminal and administrative investigations in state correctional facilities.
   • Conduct criminal investigations of felonies in state correctional facilities and to coordinate those activities with other law enforcement and investigative agencies including prosecution through State Attorneys offices.
   • Conduct administrative investigations into improper practices, misconduct on the part of staff and/or offenders in state correctional facilities, and coordinating these investigations with appropriate departmental staff.
   • Provide for timely intervention in areas of identified concern to reduce the potential for escalation of situations such as staff disputes and inmate escapes.
   
   
3. Assist the Office of Institutions in providing a safer environment for employees, inmates, and visitors by detering the introduction of contraband at state correctional facilities.
   • Maintain an automated tracking system for contraband seized within state correctional facilities.
   • Conduct unannounced interdiction operations.
   • Review contraband control procedures at state correctional facilities for compliance with department policy and procedure.
   
   
4. Assume internal audit responsibility for reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of management controls and programs to assess compliance with department procedures and deter fraud and abuse.
   • Conduct compliance audits in accordance with professional standards.
   • Evaluate the effectiveness of FDC's management of contracts, report findings and recommend steps to correct deficiencies.
   • Assist with investigations involving fraud, waste, or misappropriation of funds.
   • Serve as the department's liaison with the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability on all audits and performance reviews completed by those offices.