Audit of the Office of Justice Programs Correctional Systems and Correctional Alternatives on Tribal Lands Program Grants Awarded to the Navajo Division of Public Safety, Window Rock, Arizona

• NCJ Number: 249201
• Date Published: September 2015
• Length: 71 pages
• Corporate Author: US Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General
• Sale Source: US Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation; Grants and Funding
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents the findings and methodology of an audit by the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of the Inspector General of the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) grant awards to the Navajo Division of Public Safety under the Correctional Systems and Correctional Alternatives on Tribal Lands (CSATL) Program.

Abstract

The audit's objective was to determine whether costs claimed under the grants were allowable, supported, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and the terms and conditions of the grants. The Navajo Division of Public Safety (NDPS) was awarded four grants totaling $70,542,837 for planning and constructing tribal justice facilities associated with the incarceration and rehabilitation of adult offenders subject to tribal jurisdiction. As of January 2015, NDPS had drawn down $65,579,800 in grant funds, although none of the awarded grants were fully expended. An analysis of NDPS accounting records, financial and progress reports, and operating policies and procedures found NDPS did not comply with essential grant conditions related to the use of funds, performance, and financial controls. Specifically, NDPS did not check the suspension and debarment status of contractors paid with grant funds; incurred $656,921 in unsupported costs and $2,554,924 in unallowable costs; did not meet the $16,669 match requirement for one grant; did not expend $535,545 in awarded funds; did not submit accurate Federal Financial Reports for three of the four grants; and expended $290,116 in unnecessary planning grants. In addition, NDPS built correctional facilities in Tuba City and Kayenta, AZ, with capacities that were at least 250 percent larger than needed. This audit report presents nine recommendations to OJP that are designed to improve NDPS management of grant awards. 5 tables and 5 appendixes that include a schedule of dollar-related findings and the responses of OJP and Navajo Nation to the draft audit report