"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.
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