Utah State JAG Formula Grant

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 Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) will utilize their Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG funding for Utah's 19 multi-jurisdictional drug and crime task forces. After 10 percent of the JAG funds are set aside for administration, grant opportunities will be made available to state and local government and to faith-based and private non-profit organizations providing criminal justice services in Utah. Utah's JAG funding will primarily focus on drug interdiction and gang projects. Drug abuse is intertwined with many other criminal acts, and thus, drug interdiction efforts are impacting nearly all areas of criminal activity. Since 70 percent of Utah's inmates have substance abuse problems, and Utah's arrest rates for possession of drugs have increased dramatically over the past decade, the state will direct JAG resources toward substance abuse treatment programs. The JAG program will coordinate with the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council (USAAV) to provide needed resources to drug treatment projects. Remaining FY 2008 JAG funds will be used to: support programs that provide treatment services and supervision to offenders; support state law enforcement and statewide prosecution and investigation needs; enhance the state's four crime labs; and combat computer crimes, such as child porn and ID theft.

NCA/NCF