Michigan Byrne JAG

Michigan developed a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Strategic Plan that established clear priorities and goals and is the basis for Michigan’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 Byrne JAG. The current strategic plan is being updated (a draft version is attached to this application) The state will support the shared goals of the Strategic Plan and the grant will deliver a multi-pronged approach to addressing crime prevention, recidivism, indigent defense, and a broad range of activities designed to enhance relationships between law enforcement agencies Michigan cities with high crime rates. Michigan will fight crime through continually developing collaborative efforts between criminal justice agencies by supporting 22 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 an intelligence analyst dedicated to drug threat assessment, assistance with heroin, illegal opiates, cocaine and methamphetamine investigations, and dedicated forensic drug scientists.This grant will also support enhanced delivery of services to victims of crimes by providing direct victim advocacy, fostering improved relationships between law enforcement and community-based victim advocacy organizations, local social service agencies and the communities they serve. Alternative sentencing will also be supported through drug treatment courts, offering an integrated, systematic approach to dealing with a broad range of drug-using offenders. In addition, proactive, community-based activities, prevention and outreach programs, youth academies, and mentoring activities will be supported to combat juvenile delinquency and address crime in Michigan cities with high-crime rates. Michigan will also provide support to ensure that indigent defendants receive constitutionally effective assistance of counsel by improving poorly managed resources and case preparation. Finally, Michigan will identify emerging public safey issues and provide funding to criminal justice agencies to address these problems. Finally, an added area of emphasis the development of strategies for the prevention and prosecution of hate crimes, a top priority for state law enforcement leadership.