Consortium for the Exchange of Criminal-Justice Technology (CONNECT)

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) will use funds to support the Consortium for the Exchange of Criminal Justice Technology (CONNECT). The goal of the program is to establish effective information exchange among participating states and to establish a national model. The strategies of the program include developing operational standards, system design and development plans, prototype components, and immediate useable connectivity. The project will be governed by a multi-state steering committee and the day-to-day coordination efforts will be attained by the presence of technical and administrative managers at ACJIC. An individual with extensive management experience will also be responsible for close management of the consulting and development activities.

CA/NCF