Michigan Byrne JAG

Michigan developed a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Strategic Plan which went into effect on October 1, 2014, and is currently being updated. The Strategic Plan established clear priorities and goals and is the basis for Michigan’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 Byrne JAG.

The state will support the shared goals of the Strategic Plan and the grant with the following strategies:

GOAL 1: Fight crime by developing collaborative efforts between criminal justice agencies.

STRATEGY 1: The state of Michigan will support 23 multijurisdictional task forces (MJTFs) made up of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and support personnel.  Michigan will also provide state-level services in support of the MJTFs, including intelligence analysts dedicated to drug threat assessment, assistance with heroin, illegal opiates, cocaine and methamphetamine investigations, and dedicated forensic drug scientists.

GOAL 2: Enhance the delivery of victim services to victims of crimes.

STRATEGY 2: This program area is designed to develop new law enforcement-based victim service programs, providing direct victim advocacy, fostering proactive, positive interaction among law enforcement agencies, community-based victim advocacy organizations, local social service agencies, and the communities they serve.

GOAL 3: Support alternative sentencing to reduce costs/improve outcomes in the court system.

STRATEGY 3: Michigan will support drug treatment drug courts. These courts use an alternative sentencing approach which has demonstrated reductions in recidivism, drug use, and overall costs compared to standard sentencing. This program area will support drug treatment courts offering an integrated, systematic approach to dealing with a broad range of drug-using offenders including juveniles and adults.

GOAL 4: Provide criminal justice assistance to Michigan cities with high-crime rates.

STRATEGY 4: Michigan will support community policing and community outreach programs for Michigan cities. This program area is designed to foster proactive, community-based activities to combat juvenile delinquency and foster positive relationships between citizens and law enforcement.  Acceptable initiatives include prevention and outreach programs, youth academies, and mentoring activities conducted by members of law enforcement that target youth and facilitate parent and community engagement.

GOAL 5: Provide criminal justice assistance to indigent defendants.

STRATEGY 5: Michigan will provide support to ensure that indigent defendants receive constitutionally effective assistance of counsel by improving poorly managed resources and case preparation.

GOAL 6: Address emerging public safety issues.

STRATEGY 6: The state will identify emerging public safety issues and provide funding to criminal justice agencies to address these problems.