Recovery Act JAG Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Lonoke County will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to purchase an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and 26 tasers to be used in the jail and for patrol purposes. The AFIS will be used for the expedient identification of arrestees and detainees within the county jail system. The county is part of the main corridor for the transportation of illegal drugs and aliens. The AFIS will enhance the county's capabilities and the capabilities of other departments to identify persons and illegal aliens as they are arrested passing through the county. The tasers will be used in the jail and each patrol officer will be issued one in the event a suspect becomes dangerous or violent. Tasers will enhance the county's ability to prevent injuries to suspects and officers and reduce medical costs and workman compensation claims.

NCA/NCF