Community Service

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 city and county of Durham have been identified as disparate and have agreed to share the aggregate of funds allocated to them through the FY 2013 JAG Program to support law enforcement programs impacting the delivery of detention services and crisis intervention/mental health response. The City and County will partner with local, state and federal agencies to: Improve upon the movement and security of individuals associated with the detention facility visitation process through the installation of video visitation stations; enhance data collection and identity verification of inmates through the implementation of barcoded wristbands and scanning; and reduce arrests, incarcerations and repeat 911 calls for mental health consumers by linking them to appropriate services. The County will use their share of the funds to support the purchase and installation of video visitation stations to be allocated between the lobby and inmate housing of the Durham County Detention facility. Funds will also be used to more efficiently manage inmate movement through the use of tamper-resistant wristbands and barcode scanning. The city will use their share of the funds to support the salary, benefits, and operating costs of one full-time licensed clinical case manager to work with the Police Department's Mental Health Outreach Program (MHOP). The primary goal of this program is to reduce the number of arrests and incarcerations, reduce repeat 911 calls, and assist officers with those challenging people who need alternatives to jail. NCA/NCF