FY 2013 Justice Assistance Grant Program

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 program 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 New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services will use the FY 2013 JAG award to support the following priorities: (1) improve the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of criminal justice records; (2) improve the capabilities and quality of work of forensic laboratories in DNA identification, ballistic evidence processing, and new technologies; (3) enhance the quality and effectiveness of drug and violent crime prosecution and enforcement, especially as it relates to gangs and to illegal possession, use or sale of guns; (4) improve the quality and effectiveness of prosecution and defense services; (5) expand and continue support for the State's Regional Crime Analysis Centers that share information and provide law enforcement with accurate and timely data; and (6) enhance local law enforcement efforts to effectively and efficiently reduce the incidence of crime and violence in their locality. To meet these needs, the following will be funded: a variety of projects to improve the accuracy and completeness of state criminal history records and facilitate electronic data sharing among authorized users; forensic services including the enhancement of ballistic evidence and DNA processing; prosecution and defense programs that handle cases involving drugs, gangs, and guns; crime analysis designed to assist local law enforcement; and law enforcement efforts to reduce crime and gun violence. Collectively, these strategies meet unfunded needs and will serve to reduce the incidence of crime and violence.

NCA/NCF