MBCC staff also indicated report review is time-consuming and provides limited monitoring value. Simplify Expenditure Reporting Region detention grant language requires counties to retain expenditure documentation which can be audited under the local government audit provisions of Montana law. Other state programs significantly reduced their expenditure reporting effort by reducing the amount of documentation submitted. We recommend simplifying the expenditure report by developing a summary the regions would provide to MBCC on a quarterly basis. MBCC reviews compliance reports submitted monthly by facility administrators.
Staff compare reported data to statutory criteria to identify noncompliance.
However, MBCC staff do not routinely visit facilities to verify information accuracy. The law requires a probable cause hearing within 24 hours, and we identified several concerns regarding hearing documentation, including court orders which did not reflect the time of day of the hearing, unsigned court orders, and files without any hearing documentation. Should Establish Guidelines MBCC staff, in coordination with county and district court officials, should establish criteria for detention facility staff indicating specific requirements to verify compliance with state and federal criteria. Further, MBCC should seek revision of statute as necessary to assure compliance. MBCC staff should visit facilities to verify documentation is maintained.