"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.
Last Updated: April 09, 2009 |