Audit of the Department of Justice, Office of the Federal Detention Trustee

Audit Report No. 05-04
December 2004
Office of the Inspector General


Appendix V

Office of the Inspector General, Audit Division
Analysis and Summary of Actions
Necessary to Close the Report


Recommendation Number:

  1. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and reiterated that it submitted a reorganization proposal to the Department on September 13, 2004, which provides for the OFDT to undertake an oversight role, including strategic management, budget execution and formulation, and policy. At this time, the OFDT is awaiting approval of the plan by Department management. In order to close this recommendation, please provide us with documentation showing that the OFDT reorganization proposal has been approved by the Department and that the plan has been implemented.
  2. Resolved. The OFDT responded that it agreed with our recommendation and said that the reorganization proposal identified in Recommendation Number 1 provides the framework for a strategic plan that clearly identifies and communicates the role, functions, and goals of the office. In order to close this recommendation, please provide us with the finalized strategic plan. In the interim, please keep us informed of your progress in developing and implementing the plan.
  3. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and stated that the reorganization proposal identified in Recommendation Number 1 provides the necessary staffing analysis. In order to close this recommendation, please provide us with a copy of the staffing analysis and information about action taken in response to the analysis.
  4. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and said that it has initiated discussions with ICE about the need for an amended IAA. This recommendation can be closed when the OFDT provides documentation to support the agreed-upon definition of roles and responsibilities for the OFDT and ICE and, if appropriate, a copy of the amended IAA.
  5. Resolved. In its response, the OFDT stated that it agreed with the recommendation and has required the USMS to develop a district-level operating plan that must be submitted to the OFDT for approval for FY 2005. This recommendation can be closed when we receive a copy of the OFDT-approved USMS district-level operating plan, guidelines governing the process for fund transfers to the USMS, and actual examples of USMS submissions and the related OFDT payments.
  6. Resolved. The OFDT responded that it agreed with our recommendation and that Department of Justice leadership is currently reviewing the JPATS issue and discussing available options with Congress. In order to close this recommendation, please provide us with the final outcome of the decision makers' discussions regarding JPATS management. If a decision has not been made at the time of the next correspondence, please provide us a detailed explanation of the status of discussions.
  7. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and said that it is refining the projection model by incorporating measurable and reliable leading indicators, such as increases in the number of new law enforcement officer and Assistant U.S. Attorney positions. This recommendation can be closed when the OFDT provides evidence that a refined projection model has been employed. In the interim, please keep us informed of your efforts to employ new projection techniques.
  8. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and stated that it has begun to update the budget requests. To close this recommendation, please provide documentation of the OFDT's efforts to address budget issues for FY 2006. In addition, since the issuance of our draft report, the FY 2005 budget was passed at a greatly decreased amount than the adjusted request of $1.06 billion. Therefore, please provide us with the OFDT's plan to deal with what appears to be an imminent and significant budgetary shortfall.
  9. Resolved. In its response, the OFDT stated that it agreed with the recommendation and explained that the system design for the Arizona Sentencing to Incarceration Pilot Project is complete and ready to be implemented. To close the OIG's recommendation, the OFDT must provide us with evidence that the project has been implemented and detention time has been reduced. In addition, please provide documentation of the results achieved and any OFDT analysis of the project, including future plans for more widespread implementation of the project.
  10. Resolved. The OFDT responded that it agreed with our recommendation and stated that it will require that each detention agency strategically plan its procurement needs utilizing an Advance Procurement Plan. According to the OFDT, effective planning will ensure equality of rates and coordination of activities. To close this recommendation, please provide the Advance Procurement Plans and documentation of the OFDT's efforts in its strong oversight role to use these plans to identify and realize cost savings.
  11. Resolved. The OFDT agreed with our recommendation and said that it would like a more standardized approach and plans to make improvements to the IGA process. As noted in our report, the OIG has historically identified significant questioned costs when independently auditing IGAs. Therefore, we believe the OFDT should exercise its strong oversight role in the IGA area and organize a more robust plan for ensuring that bed space providers are appropriately reimbursed. This recommendation can be closed when we receive the evidence of the improvements made to the IGA process. In the interim, please provide specific information regarding planned actions and the expected outcomes.