Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $300,000)
The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), 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 recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, 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 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.
The University of Hawai'i will use Congressionally Recommended Awards funding to support the Hawai'i Innocence Project (HIP) which aims to reduce the number of innocent persons presently incarcerated. Specific grant-funded activities will involve outreach, application intake and screening, preliminary legal and factual research, client counseling, detailed investigation, legal research and writing, forensic analysis, expert consultation, and litigation. Outreach to members of the bar and the public on topics that will help minimize wrongful convictions will also be conducted.
NCA/NCF