The Federal Bureau of Prisons has been working on the development of an Automated Staffing Tool (AST) for three years and is part of the overall recruitment and retention strategy. It was developed to help the agency understand how many employees are needed inside the institutions in order to run safe and secure prisons to better accomplish the mission of the FBOP.
At every step of the process, the data was cross-checked through an analysis by the FBOP's Regional Directors, Assistant Directors, Wardens and their subsequent team members. In fact, the Automated Staffing Tool and its recommended position numbers were informed by the engagement of over 350 FBOP employees, and by more than 240 users through 75 collaborative sessions and multiple demonstrations for external stakeholders and the National Union President.
In announcing the October 1st roll out, Director Peters offered thanks to those who provided direction, insights, and feedback in making it possible to build the tool. The AST data will be utilized to inform future budget requests and if requests for additional positions are approved and funded, it will make significant change for the agency down the road. So, while the tool doesn’t solve the FBOP's staffing shortage today or the impact that shortage has on our employees personally, it certainly allows the agency to better educate Congress and all of our external stakeholders on what we need to accomplish our mission.