FY 2010 State of Michigan Byrne JAG

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 Michigan State Administering Agency will use JAG funds to continue many of the gains and accomplishments that have been achieved with JAG funding in previous years. The proposed strategy demonstrates coordination with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act JAG funding that has been distributed to criminal justice agencies throughout the state. Given the major economic crisis that is being experienced in Michigan and across the nation, it is increasingly difficult for criminal justice agencies to respond to the problems of drugs and violent crime. Police, prosecutors, courts, and corrections are experiencing increased demands and decreasing resources. In spite of the difficult economic situation, the criminal justice system in Michigan has institutionalized a number of initiatives to break the cycle of substance abuse and crime, including expanding the number and types of offenders served by drug treatment courts. There are continuing needs to reinforce the gains that have been made and to realize the promise of these new initiatives. Michigan intends to use JAG funds to assist both state and local governments with funding for projects that will include multijurisdictional task forces, community policing and community prosecution, priority population drug courts, crime lab assistance, and data-driven approaches to crime and traffic safety. The general goals include the reduction of crime and an improvement in the administration of the criminal justice system.

NCA/NCF