Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 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).

Maryland will use their 2015 State JAG award to expand efforts to offer services and intervention strategies to deal with the rapidly growing heroin problem in Maryland; identify high risk offenders, especially gun offenders and hold them accountable; improve outcomes for offenders through effective re-entry services; enhance warrant service to swiftly remove violent offenders from the streets; maximize the use of DNA samples and findings to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent; expand efforts to reduce illegal gun use and possession; modernize crime fighting and information sharing by maximizing the use of the best available technology; and ensure that all crime victims in Maryland are treated with dignity and respect and that funding is made available to provide assistance and support.

NCA/NCF