Mississippi FY 2016 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).

With this 2016 State JAG award, the Mississippi Division of Public Safety Planning will focus on the goals of reducing violent and drug related crime in the state; and increasing implementation of innovative evidence-based programs. To achieve these goals, JAG funds will be distributed to local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies in three main programs, consistent with its Strategic Plan: Drug Courts; Local Law Enforcement Support; and Hot Spots Policing. One focus area for the 2016 local law enforcement support program will be technological resources necessary for crime data reporting and inquiries into state and national criminal arrests databases. The new Hot Spots Policing program is an evidence-based program that will focus on implementing effective crime reduction and crime prevention strategies in select communities that exhibit high rates of crime. NCA/NCF