BJA FY 23 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is the youngest United States political family member and one of its most diverse, distant, and isolated Commonwealth territories. Geographically, the CNMI is located in the tropical western Pacific region of Micronesia and is approximately 1,300 miles south of Tokyo, 1,400 miles east of Manila, and about 3,200 miles west of Honolulu. Comprised of a chain of 14 islands, the CNMI is home to about 55,200 people, based on the latest United Nations estimate as of 2018. Most of this population resides on the island of Saipan, with the islands of Tinian and Rota accounting for nearly all the rest. The indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people and many children of non-resident workers in the CNMI are United States citizens. The CNMI’s historical event of their first Non-Voting Representative to the U.S. Congress became a reality in 2008 after the passing of U.S. H.R. PL 3079: 110th Congress called the Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act on December 11, 2007.

The Criminal Justice Planning Agency has recommended the adoption of the BJA FY 23 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is committed to utilizing the provided funds under the FY 2023 JAG to support crucial criminal justice agencies in their fight against criminal activities and their prevention. The proposed project activities include the provision of job training and placement assistance, educational and enriching opportunities, family counseling and support, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. These initiatives aim to equip individuals with the necessary skills and support to lead productive lives and reduce the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities. As the State Administering Agency for funds from the Department of Justice, the Criminal Justice Planning Agency will continue coordinating activities and efforts in addressing criminal activities in the CNMI with other DOJ funds that CJPA is administering.

The ultimate goal of this submission is to officially endorse the need to continue funding many local programs and projects in the CNMI, which, through best practices, address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.