FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and 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, including 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 and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The county of Mifflin will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $10,957 to support adult education through a GED instructor in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility (MCCF). MCCF will subcontract with the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Community Education Services (CES) to provide GED education within the prison. GED instruction will be offered in small groups with one instructor. Enrollees of the program will have the opportunity for independent learning outside of the class time through printed materials. The GED instructor will provide intake, testing, and orientation for GED participants within MCCF along with ongoing educational and vocational counseling throughout the participants' enrollment. The program will serve at least 12 to 30 inmates during the time period of September 2009, through June 30, 2010. During this time, CES will offer 3 nine week sessions of instruction consisting of two sessions for three hours per week. Additional time was allocated in the budget for teacher planning, organizational meetings, student intake, assessment, and orientation as well as one-on-one educational and vocational counseling and instruction as needed.

NCA/NCF