Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), serving as the State Administering Agency, will use the grant funds to fund programs that will support the overall goal to improve public safety and the quality of life for Massachusetts residents. JAG funding currently supports several programs that focus on youth violence prevention, gangs, substance abuse, reentry, technology, and research. The EOPSS will address its funding priority areas by implementing programs that include best practices, innovative ideas, and creative solutions. The focus will be on regionalism, research-based policy, and rational decision making via a competitive grant process that ensures the distribution of funds geographically and across disciplines within Byrne JAG purpose areas.

The EOPSS will set aside 10 percent of the total award for administrative purposes to support personnel costs, administrative expenses, trainings, and conferences. In addition, the grant will allow for the funding of the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. The Council, a 30-member group appointed by the Governor, is charged with specific projects to address sexual assault and domestic violence in Massachusetts, (e.g., developing guides for law enforcement agencies regarding adult sexual assault and domestic violence response). The remaining program funds will be subgranted to state, local, and private non-profit agencies. In summary, under the grant, the EOPSS will support initiative that address : gangs, guns, and youth violence; substance abuse; reentry; domestic violence and sexual assault; technology; research and evaluation; and district attorneys prosecution and programs.

NCA/NCF