Fiscal Year 2008 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 county of Marion will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $46,293 to fund law enforcement technology and a drug court. The Marion County Sheriff's Office will utilize a portion of JAG funds to enhance their law enforcement technology. They will purchase in-car video camera systems. This technology is part of the Sheriff's Office's plan to replace existing cameras, and move the Sheriff's Office towards the capability of sending video from patrol cars to other mobile computers. In addition, the county of Marion will use JAG funds to offset the cost of drug screens for indigent participants through the Marion County Drug Court. The Drug Court is a cost-effective, holistic approach to drug treatment designed to rehabilitate substance abusers by providing comprehensive court supervised treatment resulting in drug free citizens, in partnership between various judicial and law enforcement agencies and treatment providers within the community. Its goal is to reduce recidivism of offenders within the criminal justice system by providing those individuals with the means necessary to lead a productive, drug and crime free lifestyle. Ten percent of the award will be used for costs associated with administering JAG funds through the Community Council Against Substance Abuse.

NCA/NCF