FY 2008 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

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).

In response to a needs assessment survey of criminal justice practitioners and a statewide planning assembly, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) has developed a multi-year strategic plan to coordinate programs, resources, and information in furtherance of its goal to reduce drug and violent crime. ICJIA proposes to fund programs under the following state purpose areas, which complement the JAG and National Drug Control Strategy purpose areas: 1) Support prevention programs that help youth recognize risks associated with violent crime and drug use, and target youth to reduce their use of violence, illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products; 2) Support programs statewide that target prevention and early intervention for juveniles, with particular emphasis on the principles of balanced and restorative justice; 3) Support programs that enhance treatment effectiveness, quality, and services so that those who need treatment can receive it; 4) Support research that identifies what works in drug treatment and the prevention of drug use, violent crime, and their consequences; 5) Support programs that promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system; 6) Support efforts to implement an integrated justice system in Illinois that includes all components of the criminal justice system and includes every jurisdiction within the state; and 7) Support efforts with law enforcement, prosecution, and probation to combat, disrupt, and test drug users.

Specifically, the following programs will continue to be funded under their Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Grant: 1) 20 multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces; 2) seven multi-jurisdictional drug prosecution programs; 3) local law enforcement equipment program; 4) day/evening reporting centers for juvenile probationers; 5) four county and two judicial circuit programs with innovative probation projects, four of which aim to implement the recommendations of the Illinois Attorney General's Sex Offender Management Board; 6) three community-based transitional services for female offenders programs, which provide gender-specific services addressing substance abuse and the trauma of sexual and physical abuse; 7) internal and external impact evaluations of funded drug strategy projects and for data collection, research, and administration of funding. ICJIA will use 8.5 percent for administration, with a 65.51 percent variable pass-through to local agencies, and will award 25.99 percent to state agencies.

NCA/NCF