FY 09 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, 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 Puerto Rico Department of Justice will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG funds to support the following program areas: law enforcement, prosecution and courts, prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment, and technology improvement. JAG funds will focus on: (1) improving operational effectiveness of state and local law enforcement jurisdictions to control and deter crime; (2) improving investigation and prosecution systems by strengthening the operational capacity and effectiveness of the criminal investigations and processing system; (3) providing alternatives to imprisonment with effective follow-up and identification of juvenile and adult drug users; (4) reducing the use of controlled substances in penal institutions by improving and expanding existing programs to rehabilitate criminal offenders; (5) improving the operational effectiveness of forensic laboratories by enhancing the capacity of state forensic laboratories to conduct improved investigations and analysis of evidence related to violent crimes; (6) reducing the flow of illegal drugs and narcotics by improving the operational effectiveness of law enforcement agencies; (7) improving the criminal and juvenile justice system, through joint and integrated coordination to reduce the high rates of domestic violence, sexual offense and abuse of children, the elderly, and to provide witness protection; and (8) establishing drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs for adults and juvenile offenders to provide comprehensive treatment services and reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

NCA/NCF