Justiceworks Capacity Building Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Justiceworks Ltd. will use the grant funds for a pilot project titled: Teamwork for Employment and Access through Mentoring. The program will build on the Volunteers in the Probation program that provides similar mentoring support to higher-risk offenders as they transition from custody back to the community. The goals of Justiceworks are to reduce the heavy demand on the resources of the court, reduce crime, and achieve financial sustainability.

NCA/NCF