Byrne JAG Application for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety (EOPS) will utilize its Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG award to fund innovative public safety projects that protect citizens and improve their quality of life. The EOPS engages in numerous activities that promote multi-agency collaboration and program coordination relative to the JAG Program funds. These collaborations range from partnerships with other federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies and coordination with state and federal grant programs. The mission of these initiatives directly corresponds to the EOPS JAG priorities. The EOPS will announce a new competitive funding process for Massachusetts JAG funds in summer 2008, with new project periods beginning in October of 2008. Funding distribution will be based on the EOPS identified priorities and goals and JAG programmatic requirements. The FY 2008 JAG priorities/goals are: 1) Gangs, guns and youth violence programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all citizens by reducing fire-arm related crime and preventing youth violence, in particular the formation of gang associations; 2) Substance abuse prevention and control (including illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and alcohol); 3) Reentry programs directed at reducing recidivism and future victimization, as well as increasing the chances for successful offender reentry into communities; 4) Domestic violence and sexual assault programs; and 5) Research and evaluations intended to improve the quality of programs that are funded through JAG.

NCA/NCF