OFDT manages and regulates the Federal detention programs and JPATS by establishing a secure and effective operating environment that drives efficient and fair expenditure of appropriated funds.

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.