Seats Related Problems of the 1998 Ford E-350

Seats problem

I am a transportation officer for the commonwealth of massachusetts department of correction. I was just issued a new van and the safety partition between the drivers section and the prisoner section prevents the seats from moving back a safe distance from the drivers air bag (approximately 7'' max). There are over 25 vans to be issued that are configured the same way. The dept. Of correction does not want to move the partitions back, as this would reduce the inmate capacity. I don't know if the partitions were installed by the factory, the dealer or the department. Any help you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks.