FY 2008 Northern Marianas Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) is the designated State Administering Agency (SAA) for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The CJPA will receive $373,273 in Fiscal Year 2008, and will oversee the implementation of the Commonwealth's grant program in an effort to address the criminal justice issues in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The CJPA will use their JAG award to fund activities under six JAG purpose areas in support of the following: 1) a drug task force and other efforts to reduce homicide, burglary, and other crimes; 2) training members of the Attorney General's Criminal Division (specifically prosecutors and judges), enhancing court data, and pre-trial and client services programs; 3) Drug Abuse and Resistance Education (DARE), the Law Enforcement Explorer Program (LEEP), the Junior Police Officer (JPO) Program, and community prevention and education programs; 4) probation and parole programs and also enhancing the Department of Corrections' operational capability and training for correctional officers; 5) funding drug treatment programs for both institutionalized and non-institutionalized offenders; and 6) upgrading and enhancing the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Project. The CJPA will also utilize administrative funds to hire a Program Coordinator, purchase office supplies, train appropriate staff, provide technical assistance, support communications costs, fund public announcements, and other related JAG expenses.

NCA/NCF