FY 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant 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.

The Office of the Governor - Criminal Justice Division (CJD) will utilize its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG Recovery State allocation to fund programs under the following purpose areas: law enforcement; drug treatment and enforcement; prosecution and courts; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement; corrections and community corrections; prevention and education; and crime victim and witness initiatives.

The CJD will make JAG Recovery Act sub-awards to reduce violent crime and its effect on communities through a balanced approach to prevention, enforcement, and restoration. The CJD has established three objectives that are in alignment with the State's planning priorities and coordination efforts. (1)Increase programs that divert juveniles away from criminal activities and that support productive life styles. Projects may include school-based programs, gang diversion programs, community assessments for high-risk youth, crime reporting and mapping, and increased law enforcement patrols and training. (2) Increase programs that reduce crime and enhance resources for prosecution of offenders. Projects may include law enforcement training, operational support for targeted initiatives, specialty equipment for law enforcement and crime laboratories, and reductions in forensic and prosecution backlogs. (3)Increase programs that support solution for restoring victims of crime, reintegrate offenders into the community, and reduce the potential for recidivism. Proposed projects may include multi-disciplinary victim training, operational capacity for victims programs, juvenile and adult diversion and reentry initiatives, and training.

NCA/NCF