<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".20" citation="COMAR 12.02.28.20" title_num="12" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="28" heading="Audits.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Commissioner, or a designee, shall establish:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A system to audit the ARP at each correctional facility; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A schedule for audits authorized under this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An audit team consists of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Headquarters ARC, or a designee; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>At least one facility ARC selected by the Headquarters ARC from a correctional facility other than the correctional facility subject to the current audit.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An audit, at a minimum, consists of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An entrance interview with the managing official of the correctional facility being audited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Explain the purpose of the audit; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide an overview of the audit process;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Examining:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Required files and documents related to the correctional facility’s use of the ARP;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documents related to investigations of inmate complaints under this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Actions taken related to implementing remedies resulting from meritorious or meritorious-in-part inmate complaints;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Conducting interviews with inmates and staff to assess the effectiveness of the ARP;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Interviews with correctional facility staff to determine necessary amendments to the ARP; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>An exit interview with the managing official to provide an overview of findings.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Audit Report.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Within 30 calendar days of the date an audit is completed, the Headquarters ARC shall prepare and submit to the Commissioner, or a designee, and to the respective managing official a written report summarizing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The results of the audit; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If appropriate, compliance issues that need to be addressed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Within 30 calendar days of the date a managing official receives an audit report from the Headquarters ARC, the managing official shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Acknowledge receipt of the report; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If appropriate, provide a plan of action to correct compliance issues identified by the audit.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If appropriate, the Headquarters ARC shall monitor a managing official’s progress to correct noted compliance issues.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A correctional facility may be subject to a non-scheduled audit or follow-up audit to determine progress on corrective action specified in a managing official’s plan of action to correct compliance issues identified in an audit report.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>