New York State's FY 15 Edward Byrne Memorial 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 NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services will use this 2015 JAG award to support a variety of projects. The funds will be used to: improve the accuracy and completeness of state criminal history records and facilitate electronic data sharing among authorized users; enhance forensic services including the enhancement of ballistic evidence and DNA processing; support prosecution and defense programs that handle cases involving guns, gangs, and drugs; fund a crime analysis program designed to assist local law enforcement; support law enforcement efforts to reduce crime and gun violence; and support strategies to improve or enhance procedural justice in law enforcement agencies. Collectively, these strategies meet unfunded needs and will serve to reduce the incidence of crime and violence.

NCA/NCF