Report I2019-3 All Recommendation Responses
Report I2019-3: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Agencies and Employees: Wasteful and Improper Travel Payments, Improper Promotion and Hiring Practices, and Misuse of State Resources (Release Date: May 2019)
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #1 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 30 days, the Department of Transportation (Caltrans)should provide a detailed training memorandum to managers and supervisors informing them of who is authorized to approve employees' travel expense claims and airline, train, and rental car reservations.
Agency Response From July 2019
Caltrans reported in July 2019 that it issued a memorandum to all of its managers and supervisors providing guidance on who is authorized to approve an employee's travel expense claims and travel reservations.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its division of human resources has updated the Highway-to-Hiring guide for supervisors and managers to include the proper designation of county codes. It stated that the revised guide should be dissemminated later this month.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #2 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 60 days, Caltrans should provide detailed and comprehensive instructions to managers and supervisors to ensure that they understand the definition of an employee's headquarters and the state law prohibition of paying expenses related to travel from one's residence to headquarters.
Agency Response From September 2019
Caltrans reported that in September 2019, its division of human resources emailed a management information bulletin to all managers and supervisors that explained the legal definition of an employee's headquarters and the state law prohibiting expenses arising from travel between an employee's residence to headquarters.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its division of human resources has drafted a management information bulletin for establishing headquarters location and stated that a county code change has been developed. It stated that the bulletin is undergoing final review and will be shared with staff later this month.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #3 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 60 days, Caltrans should document the findings of this investigation in the manager's official personnel file.
Agency Response From June 2019
Caltrans reported that it placed a copy of the investigative report in the manager's official personnel file.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that upon release of our report, its legal division will place a copy in the manager's official personnel file.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #4 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 60 days, Caltrans should consult with the State Controller's Office to determine whether the manager's reimbursements should have been reported as taxable fringe benefits and, if so, amend any relevant tax documents.
Agency Response From June 2019
Caltrans reported that it is currently attempting to recover the improper travel reimbursements through an accounts receivable bill and is not issuing a corrected W-2 form at this time.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Resolved
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its accounting division contacted the State Controller's Office for information about reporting travel reimbursements as taxable fringe benefits and determined that fringe benefits can be reported for prior years. Caltrans stated that it will issue a corrected W-2 form if the taxable withholdings create a change for the reporting year.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #5 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 90 days, Caltrans should provide training to human resources staff to ensure that they follow proper procedures for changing an employee's headquarters and retaining the appropriate documentation.
Agency Response From June 2019
Caltrans reported that in April 2019, its division of human resources verbally reiterated to staff the requirement of retaining all documentation associated with changing an employee's headquarters.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its division of human resources provided training to human resources staff in April 2019 and that a verbal announcement was made on the proper identification of an employee's headquarters location and when it is appropriate to change an employee's county code.
In addition, Caltrans reported that new information in its hiring guide was presented at the training. Specifically, upon appointment a position must report to the specific county location for which the position was advertised, if applicable. Changes to a position's location must be submitted to the division of human resources for approval prior to the movement of any employee. Additionally, when a position is filled in a specific location, the employee must remain in that location for at least one year prior to requesting any changes. This ensures that the position is appropriately recruited for and allows for all interested candidates to apply for the position in the intended position location. If the position could potentially occupy multiple counties, staff should speak with human resources about possibly advertising statewide.
Furthermore, Caltrans reported that its division of human resources currently retains all related hiring files for a minimum of five years, in accordance with California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 26.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #6 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 90 days, Caltrans should provide training to travel branch staff to ensure that they verify an employee's headquarters when reviewing expense claims and comply with state law when approving the claims.
Agency Response From June 2019
Caltrans reported that it provided training to travel branch staff on the rules applicable to travel between an employee's residence and headquarters.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that in April 2019, supervisors from the accounting division provided training to travel branch staff, which covered verifying an employee's headquarters when reviewing travel expense claims for payment. Caltrans stated that the accounting division also worked with human resources staff to obtain limited access to view the designated headquarters for employees.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #7 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 90 days, Caltrans should take appropriate corrective action against the former supervisor for approving the manager's travel to Sacramento without notifying the division chief.
Agency Response From June 2019
Caltrans reported that it served a letter of warning to the former supervisor and placed a copy in his official personnel file.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its legal division prepared a letter of warning to be served to the manager in May 2019 that will be placed in his official personnel file.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2017-0706
Recommendation #8 To: Transportation, Department of
Within 90 days, Caltrans should determine if any of the $41,695 can be collected from the manager and, if so, attempt collection of the improper travel reimbursements.
Agency Response From August 2019
Caltrans reported that it issued an accounts receivable to the manager for $41,565 and the manager disputed the invoice. It informed us that the accounting division is awaiting direction from executive management and legal counsel on how to proceed.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
Caltrans reported that its accounting division is working with its legal division to ensure that the $41,695 does not include any valid travel reimbursements before issuing an accounts receivable to collect any improper amounts.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2016-1298
Recommendation #9 To: State Hospitals, Department of
The Department of State Hospitals (State Hospitals) should thoroughly and appropriately evaluate the administrator's position and duties to determine the headquarters location that will best meet State Hospitals' business needs. It should also ensure that a valid telecommute agreement is on file.
Agency Response From October 2019
In October 2019, State Hospitals provided an employee monthly report that included travel for all executives from June 2019 through September 2019. In addition, it reported that the administrator had not traveled since May 2019, is no longer acting in the same role, and is scheduled to retire later in 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From July 2019
In April 2019 the acting director reminded State Hospitals administrators that each monthly report submitted to the chief deputy director and the director must include an overview of upcoming travel. In May 2019 the State Hospitals travel unit developed a report to identify all travel by employees by month, year-to-date, and fiscal year that is reviewed by executive management to ensure that travel costs are appropriate. In July 2019 State Hospitals provided us with a copy of the administrator's travel report from August 2018 through May 2019 and its employee monthly report that includes travel for all executives through June 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From March 2019
State Hospitals stated that it had performed this evaluation already and concluded that the administrator's position could be at any of its five state hospitals or at its headquarters in Sacramento. Accordingly, State Hospitals indicated that the administrator's headquarters will remain at the designated hospital but that it will provide increased monitoring of the administrator. In addition, State Hospitals stated that twice a year it will monitor the administrator's travel costs to ensure the designated headquarters remains in the best interest of State Hospitals. Furthermore, State Hospitals stated that it now requires the administrator to conduct a cost analysis for each trip to determine the least costly method of transportation, to obtain the supervisor's pre-approval for travel, and to use tele-presence or computer technologies to attend meetings in Sacramento, when appropriate.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2016-1298
Recommendation #10 To: State Hospitals, Department of
State Hospitals should provide training to hiring managers and human resources staff to ensure that they follow proper procedures for determining work location assignments and for clearly indicating those locations in recruiting and job announcements.
Agency Response From June 2019
In April 2019 State Hospitals revised its position form to include a clear recruitment location for any position being filled to ensure that the recruitment location is transparent to the hiring manager and interested candidates. State Hospitals held an all staff meeting later that month to provide on-the-job training to human resources managers and analysts to ensure that the form is completed accurately.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From March 2019
State Hospitals reported that it implemented the recommendation by distributing an information bulletin in January 2019 to remind program managers about processes related to the recruitment and hiring process. In addition, State Hospitals reported that by April 30, 2019, it would (1) send out an electronic communication from its human resources director to all personnel staff to remind them to follow the best practices for recruitment and hiring as disclosed in the information bulletin, (2) update the State Hospitals request form to include a clear recruitment location, which will ensure that the location is transparent to the hiring manager and to interested candidates, and (3) provide on-the-job training to all classification pay managers and analysts to ensure that the request form is completed accurately.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Case Number I2016-1298
Recommendation #11 To: State Hospitals, Department of
State Hospitals should provide training to travel unit staff responsible for auditing travel expense claims to recognize travel patterns that may indicate improper and excessive travel expense claims.
Agency Response From June 2019
In April 2019 the deputy director of administration issued an electronic communication to all employees reinforcing that the travel conducted for state business must be conducted based on the rules defined in the State Hospitals Travel Guide. In May 2019 travel unit staff was provided training about identifying and recognizing potential travel issues. Also in May 2019 the travel unit developed a report to identify all travel by employees by month, year-to-date, and fiscal year that is reviewed by executive management to ensure that travel costs are appropriate.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From March 2019
State Hospitals stated that it has begun to implement this recommendation by ensuring that its travel unit staff are aware of the expectation and requirement to audit travel expense claims. Specifically, its travel manual guide was updated in February 2019 to include all current travel rules, and the updated manual has been posted and is available to all staff on State Hospitals' intranet. In addition, State Hospitals stated that the guide is included in its new employee orientation so employees are aware of State Hospitals travel guidelines. State Hospitals also has directed its travel unit staff to audit travel claims to ensure that all travel expenses are applicable and appropriate for the method of travel used by employees. If these staff identify potential issues, they should immediately elevate the issue to their direct supervisor, who will then elevate the issue to senior management or to executive management, as applicable, to resolve.
Further, State Hospitals stated that by April 30, 2019, its executive management would remind its deputy directors and individual hospital executive directors that the monthly report submitted to the director and chief deputy director must include an overview of their upcoming travel, and its executive management would issue an electronic communication to all employees reinforcing that travel conducted for state business must be conducted based on the rules defined in its travel manual guide.
Finally, State Hospitals reported that by May 31, 2019, it would train the travel unit staff to identify and recognize potential travel issues, and it would develop a process to run a report for all travel by employee and develop a top 10/top 20 or other relevant metric to monitor employees that have large travel costs to ensure that travel is conducted in the most cost effective or efficient manner.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2016-1298
Recommendation #12 To: State Hospitals, Department of
State Hospitals should provide detailed and comprehensive instructions to managers, supervisors, and employees to ensure that they adhere to State Hospitals' telecommute policy requirements and limitations.
Agency Response From October 2019
State Hospitals revised its telework policy effective in October 2019 to include casual or intermittent telecommuting to accommodate a short-term need as well as regular telecommuting, which is an established telework schedule with a specific number of days per week or month based on State Hospitals' needs. In addition, State Hospitals appointed a telework coordinator to manage the day-to-day coordination of its telework program, including compliance with its policies, procedures, and guidelines.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From July 2019
State Hospitals advised us that it intended to discuss telework at its executive management meeting this month and that it expected to approve a revised policy later in July 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From March 2019
State Hospitals stated that its telecommute policy is outdated, as noted in its agency response. Thus, it reported that by May 31, 2019, it would develop and implement a new telecommute policy to comply with current state practices, issue an electronic communication to all employees to inform them of the new telecommute policy, and provide training to all personnel staff regarding the new telecommute policy's requirements and limitations to ensure that they provide appropriate guidance.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0474
Recommendation #13 To: Fish and Wildlife, Department of
The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Fish and Wildlife) should take corrective or disciplinary action against the branch chief who misrepresented his past supervisory experience for his dishonest activities.
Agency Response From August 2019
In May 2019, Fish and Wildlife informed us that it had contacted the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) regarding the branch chief's dishonesty and was informed that CalHR had referred the matter to SPB for a final determination. In August 2019, Fish and Wildlife stated that it received SPB's final determination in which SPB directed it to void the branch chief's appointment. Therefore, Fish and Wildlife notified the branch chief of this decision shortly thereafter. The notification stated that the branch chief's appointment will be voided in September 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From April 2019
Fish and Wildlife stated that it is conducting an internal investigation into the first branch chief's dishonesty about his supervisory experience. Upon conclusion of its investigation, Fish and Wildlife stated that it will take appropriate administrative, corrective, or disciplinary action.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0474
Recommendation #14 To: Fish and Wildlife, Department of
Fish and Wildlife should void any improper appointments and collect compensation received as a result of the improper appointment as allowed by state law.
Agency Response From January 2020
In January 2020, Fish and Wildlife reported that it issued to the branch chief an accounts receivable notification totaling $55,517, with collection set to begin in February 2020.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From January 2020
In September 2019, Fish and Wildlife reported that the branch chief had resigned. Information is pending with respect to Fish and Wildlife's efforts to seek reimbursement from the branch chief for the compensation he earned during his unlawful appointment.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From August 2019
In May 2019, Fish and Wildlife informed us that it had contacted the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) regarding the branch chief's dishonesty and was informed that CalHR had referred the matter to SPB for a final determination. In August 2019, Fish and Wildlife stated that it received SPB's final determination in which SPB directed it to void the branch chief's appointment. Therefore, Fish and Wildlife notified the branch chief of this decision shortly thereafter. The notification stated that the branch chief's appointment will be voided effective September 2019.
In addition, SPB directed Fish and Wildlife to seek reimbursement for the compensation the branch chief received.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From April 2019
Fish and Wildlife stated that it is conducting an internal investigation into the first branch chief's dishonesty. Upon conclusion of its investigation, Fish and Wildlife stated that it will take appropriate administrative, corrective, or disciplinary action.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0474
Recommendation #15 To: Fish and Wildlife, Department of
Fish and Wildlife should require executive management and the current HR chief to undergo CalHR training on the proper use of promotions in place and on California's merit system.
Agency Response From June 2019
In May 2019 Fish and Wildlife informed us that it directed all deputy directors, assistant deputy directors, and HR staff to register for CalHR's "Best Hiring Practices" training. In June 2019 Fish and Wildlife provided us with evidence that all relevant staff completed the training.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From April 2019
Fish and Wildlife stated that it plans to enroll its executive management, HR chief, and other HR staff in CalHR's "Best Hiring Practice" training scheduled for June 2019, which covers training on the proper use of promotions in place.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2018-1251
Recommendation #16 To: Business Oversight, Department of
The Department of Business Oversight (Business Oversight) should ensure that it collects the salary the employee improperly received during her unlawful tenure as an analyst.
Agency Response From March 2020
Business Oversight ensured that the accounts receivable was satisfied entirely in February 2020.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From November 2019
Business Oversight reported that the State Controller's Office established accounts receivable for the improper payments and that the first of five accounts receivable was withheld from the employee's October 2019 pay check.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From July 2019
Business Oversight informed us that the State Controller's Office likely will need about three additional months before it starts working on the accounts receivable submitted by Business Oversight.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From June 2019
Business Oversight reported that it had contacted the State Controller's Office for the second time in June 2019 to establish an accounts receivable.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2018-1251
Recommendation #17 To: Business Oversight, Department of
Business Oversight should take appropriate corrective or disciplinary action against the employee for her dishonesty during her interview with investigators.
Agency Response From June 2019
Business Oversight reported that in March 2019, it had issued to the employee a corrective memorandum that includes requiring her to attend ethics training.
Business Oversight stated that the employee attended the ethics training in May 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #18 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) should immediately end the practice of supervisors and managers within the program taking state vehicles home except when justified on specific occasions.
Agency Response From May 2019
In March 2019 CDCR disseminated a memorandum to remind program staff about its rules regarding home storage of state-owned vehicles. The memorandum directed employees not to store an assigned state vehicle at home without an approved home storage permit on file.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #19 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
CDCR should immediately write and distribute a department-wide memo explaining the proper use of a state vehicle, describing what constitutes misuse, and clarifying that employees must have adequate justification for driving a state vehicle home on each occasion.
Agency Response From May 2019
CDCR distributed a memo to all staff in April 2019, which explained the proper use and misuse of state vehicles and provided information about adequate justification for driving a state vehicle home. CDCR also stated that it will send the memo annually as a reminder to staff.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #20 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
Within 30 days, CDCR should consider and begin legally permissible recovery efforts for the costs associated with the manager's misuse of a state vehicle for commuting purposes.
Agency Response From January 2020
CDCR informed us that it considered legally permissible cost recovery efforts and elected to not recover the costs associated with the manager's misuse of a state vehicle due to the statute of limitations expiring and the resources it would have to invest to investigate the misuse itself. Because CDCR did not initiate its own investigation within the timelines provided in state law once it received our report, it is now precluded from recovering costs from the manager attributable to misuse of a state vehicle.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Resolved
Agency Response From November 2019
I2019-2
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From August 2019
CDCR is still determining what action it will take to recover the costs associated with the misuse.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From May 2019
CDCR will review the information provided to field managers regarding home storage of assigned state vehicles and provide a recommendation.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #21 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
Within 30 days, CDCR should review mileage logs for the supervisors and managers in the program, including the five others discussed in this report, to identify state vehicle misuse and initiate legally permissible cost-recovery efforts.
Agency Response From January 2020
CDCR informed us that it considered legally permissible cost recovery efforts and elected to not recover the costs associated with the supervisors' and managers' misuse of state vehicles due to the statute of limitations expiring and the resources it would have to invest to investigate the misuse itself. Because CDCR did not initiate its own investigation within the timelines provided in state law once it received our report, it is now precluded from recovering costs from the supervisors and managers attributable to misuse of state vehicles.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Resolved
Agency Response From November 2019
CDCR told us that it reviewed the mileage logs for the managers described in the report and found similar vehicle misuse over the three-year period. However, it told us that it elected not to pursue recovery efforts for the costs associated with the misuse of state vehicles because the managers received improper direction from their superiors regarding vehicle usage. It stated that CDCR senior management discussed the matter with its Office of Legal Affairs and determined that it would have a difficult time recovering the funds through an accounts receivable process.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From August 2019
CDCR is still determining what action it will take to recover the costs associated with the misuse.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From May 2019
CDCR will review the information provided to field managers regarding home storage of assigned state vehicles and provide a recommendation.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #22 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
CDCR should immediately end the practice of taking home a state vehicle for those employees who do not have an approved home storage permit on file and who store a vehicle at their home more than 72 nights over a 12-month period, or more than 36 nights over any three-month period.
Agency Response From May 2019
In March and April 2019 CDCR disseminated memos to remind staff about its rules regarding home storage of state-owned vehicles. The memos directed employees not to store an assigned state-owned vehicle at home without an approved home storage permit on file. In addition, CDCR stated that the program will develop training materials to assist employees and their supervisors in better understanding the use and misuse of state-owned vehicles according to state and CDCR policies. The training will remind staff that state-owned vehicles must be used only for official state business. Finally, CDCR stated that the program will improve its oversight of the use of state-owned vehicles by initiating monthly reviews of travel logs to ensure the criteria and guidelines for operating state-owned vehicles are upheld.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Case Number I2017-0489
Recommendation #23 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
Within 30 days, CDCR should write and distribute a department-wide memo explaining the purpose of home storage permits, describing what circumstances qualify for a home storage permit, and clarifying that an authorized official must fully approve a permit application before an employee is allowed to take a state vehicle home on a regular basis.
Agency Response From June 2019
In June 2019, we confirmed that CDCR distributed in April 2019 the memo that explained the purpose of a vehicle home storage permit and the criteria, process, and approvals needed for obtaining one.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From May 2019
In April 2019 CDCR distributed a memo that explained the purpose of a vehicle home storage permit and the criteria, process, and approvals for obtaining one. The process includes clarification that an authorized official must approve a vehicle home storage permit application before an employee is authorized to take a vehicle home on a regular basis.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Case Number I2017-1487
Recommendation #24 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
CDCR should provide training to the supervisor regarding the proper monitoring and management of subordinate staff.
Agency Response From April 2019
CDCR provided evidence demonstrating that it administered the recommended training to the supervisor in March 2019. To prevent further occurrences with subordinate staff, the supervisor also implemented bi-weekly meetings with her staff to reiterate expectations for daily operations and acceptable behavior and to discuss progress on departmental goals.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Case Number I2017-1487
Recommendation #25 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
CDCR should implement safeguards through which a supervisor would receive notifications when a subordinate employee bypasses established thresholds of access to credential-requiring Internet locations.
Agency Response From December 2019
CDCR reported its implementation of this recommendation through several key actions. First, in November 2019 CDCR reviewed the list of "Top 25" Internet data users at Valley State Prison and asked the managers of every staff member listed to conduct an inquiry into their staff's Internet use. CDCR reported in December 2019 that the results showed that the Internet use was "within the scope of staff's normal work assignments and duties."
Second, CDCR stated that Valley State Prison conducted an audit in November 2019 of all staff approved for limited and unlimited access to the Internet. The managers for these employees were asked to review the employee's access to gauge the appropriateness of their access. As a result of the audit, the prison removed Internet access for 22 employees.
Third, Valley State Prison completed training for its supervisors, managers, and executives on the appropriate and inappropriate use of the Internet by subordinate staff. The training also discussed the importance of conducting regular staff meetings regarding CDCR's expectations.
Finally, CDCR stated that Valley State Prison plans to review the "Top 25" list monthly to ensure that Internet use is properly monitored.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From October 2019
After we inquired in August 2019 about when we could expect a substantive update about CDCR's progress on implementing this recommendation, CDCR stated that it forwarded our request to its management.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From July 2019
CDCR stated that it did not have any new information to report regarding its progress on this recommendation since April 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Pending
Agency Response From April 2019
CDCR stated that its current Internet filtering program is able to produce a report of each institution's top 25 Internet data users. CDCR indicated that it is exploring the use of this report, as well as other methods, to hold its employees accountable.