"OFDT manages and regulates the federal detention programs and the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) by establishing a secure and effective operating environment that drives efficient and fair expenditure of appropriated funds."

An Overview

The Office of the Federal Detention Trustee (OFDT) was established in September 2001 by a directive of Congress. OFDT reports directly to the Deputy Attorney General, with a mandate to coordinate detention activities for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

OFDT's oversight of detention management is focused on improving the planning and integration of federal detention capabilities while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal detention operations. Given the authority to manage the DOJ's detention resource allocations, OFDT is responsible for the financial management of detention operations as it coordinates with the components of other federal agencies involved in detention. The Trustee's office employs sound strategic planning to improve integration of federal detention capabilities while keeping federal detention standards in focus.

Major Functions

The major functions and responsibilities of the Federal Detention Trustee are to:

• Direct and coordinate the budget and strategic planning submissions of detention operations to ensure internal consistency and elimination of duplication;
• Develop, implement, and monitor compliance with Department-wide standards, policies, and procedures;
• Develop and manage comprehensive statistical and financial databases describing detention activities;
• Develop and implement strategies to deal with detention "hot spots" and crises;
• Review existing detention practices and develop alternatives to improve mission efficiency and cost effectiveness; and
• Integrate existing predictive workload models to develop comprehensive, Department-wide detention planning capabilities.

OFDT's divisions in focus: Budget, Finance and Forecasting; Detention Standards and Compliance; Information Technology; Procurement

OFDT's Budget, Finance and Forecasting, works closely with key players to plan, organize and execute the Federal Prisoner Detention (FPD) account. They develop and interpret budgetary guidelines and policies stemming from federal regulations and legislation as they perform a variety of administrative and analytical duties connected with the review, justification and presentation of the annual OFDT budget. This Division drafts the proposed authorization and appropriation language to support or revise program budgetary requirements. They assist in setting and implementing program goals and they determine how changes in federal detention spending impact DOJ's budget and the budgets of other Federal agencies involved in federal detention. Their analysis of historical data helps to project future budget requirements, as they factor in such issues as fluctuations in population, law enforcement initiatives and facility construction. This Division also tracks OFDT appropriations through Congress and provides liaison with the Office of Management and Budget.

Budget, Finance and Forecasting also formulates recommendations and projections on such detention-related topics as population trends, bed space availability, costs of state and local government versus private facilities and long-term utilization of private jails to "back up" the USMS, BOP and ICE, as necessary. This section conducts surveys to gather information from key detention operatives. They track law enforcement and prosecutorial initiatives that impact federal detention planning and they develop models and simulations to gauge potential impact on federal legislation and law enforcement policy initiatives. The Division also produces statistical analyses and data to explain and predict long-range changes in such detention program areas as population, health care and expenditures.

OFDT's Detention Standards and Compliance Division conducts facility performance reviews of selected detention facilities. These reviews serve as a monitoring instrument to measure the facilities' performance levels in accordance with their agreements. The review, which includes on-site inspection, is based on uniform standards developed by BOP, USMS, ICE and OFDT. OFDT Detention Standards and Compliance personnel work closely with various agencies involved in detention to refine the review process. The division also chairs the Technical Evaluation Board to assist in the awarding of contracts.

OFDT's Information Technology Division coordinates the Trustee Office's strategy for the design and implementation of information technology systems needed in federal detention. They develop, implement and monitor technological policies and controls that ensure data accuracy, security and system integrity. They are working closely with DOJ's Chief Information Officer, the USMS, ICE and BOP to develop a new, centralized information system that can track detainee costs and status as well as providing data on the flow of federal detainees in and out of the court system.

The Procurement Division is responsible for the negotiation and award of contracts in support of OFDT's operational needs. The Division also develops, reviews, coordinates, and executes acquisition management plans to support nationwide detention contracts. They direct acquisition management activities, develop standardized procedures for establishing Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) per diem rates; and manage reimbursable and interagency agreements.

Within OFDT, the Administration and Management section is tasked with developing OFDT's five-year Strategic Plan to define specific, achievable goals and measurable outcomes. Both the Strategic Plan and the annual OFDT performance plans and budget are key elements in OFDT's ability to meet the performance goals of the Government Performance Results Act. Additionally this long and short-term planning also meet the requirements of other overarching policy documents such as the President's Management Agenda and the Attorney General's Initiatives.

OFDT was assessed in 2006 and received an “Effective” PART (Program Assessment Rating Tool) rating.

Background on OFDT:

The Office of the Federal Detention Trustee was established and activated in September 2001 by directive of Congress Pub. L. 106-553, app. B, 114 Stat. 2762A-52 (2000) to exercise all power and functions authorized by law relating to the detention of federal prisoners and aliens awaiting adjudication and/or removal from the United States.

Historically, Federal detention has been the responsibility of both the USMS and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, now ICE. The BOP plays a supporting role by housing a portion of Federal detainees in BOP stand-alone detention centers and detention units in correctional facilities. State, local and private detention facilities also provide detention space to the Federal government.

As directed by Congress, the objective of the Trustee is to centralize responsibility for detention in order to better manage and plan for needed detention resources without unwanted duplication of effort or competition with other government components. With this broad authority and responsibility, the Trustee works to implement business process improvements and identify areas where operational efficiencies and cost savings can be realized.

OFDT Function within the Department of Justice:

In the Department of Justice's Strategic Plan for FY 2003-2008, under Strategic Goal IV: Ensure the Fair and Efficient Operation of the Federal Justice System, OFDT has two specific Strategic Objectives:

Strategic Objective 4.1 ...ensure the appearance of criminal defendants for judicial proceedings or confinement.

Strategic Objective 4.3: Provide for the safe, secure, and humane confinement of detained persons awaiting trial, and/or sentencing.