City of Jacksonville Crime Prevention Initiative

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 city of Jacksonville will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $209,274 for the Communities in Schools Jailed Juvenile Program, Inside/Outside House for Ex-Juvenile Offenders Certified as Adults, Jacksonville Area Discharge Enhancement Program, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Offender Based Initiatives-DAWN Program. These programs serve the residents of Jacksonville/Duval County in enhancing safety and security and providing opportunities for adult ex-offenders and juvenile offenders/ex-offenders. The goal of the Communities in Schools Program is to increase the likelihood for participating juveniles to succeed by completing their education, returning to the community, and staying crime free. Participants receive educational and case management services, including employment skills, life skills, individual/group sessions, home visitations, and linkages to other needed services. Inside/Outside is a transitional residential home that provides housing for male juveniles that were incarcerated as adults in the local county jail. The program provides living accommodations for homeless youth and educational, vocational, employment, and medical services. The Discharge Enhancement Program educates and links ex-offenders to community services to assist them with reentry. Services focus on the critical areas of housing, employment, health care, legal advocacy, and education. The mission of the DAWN Program is to educate, develop life skills, and reduce the recidivism rate of Jacksonville's incarcerated male population. The program serves offenders between the ages of 19 and 24.

NCA/NCF