FY 08 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own 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 for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The State of North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety ' Governor's Crime Commission will utilize the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) FY 2008 funds to address the lack of resources available to law enforcement, provide support services for ex-offenders, enhance multi-jurisdictional partnerships, improve court system efficiency, and reduce gang activity. The state will allocate funding to agencies throughout North Carolina to address the following JAG purpose areas:

1) Law Enforcement programs to provide statewide, regional, system-wide partnerships equipment used to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute illegal gang activities, for the prevention and intervention of street gangs and eliminating gang recruitment, and gang related violence. Items funded will include MDC's, end-user devices, radios, SAFIS related equipment, non-lethal weapons, weapons replacements, audio and video recording equipment for homicide investigation interviews, localized crime prevention program resources, hardware and software resources for lineups to comply with the new lineup identification procedures, and other similar functions relating to law enforcement activities. Overtime resources will also be allocated for specially designated detectives and patrol officers involved in investigations and disruptions of street drug sales and street gang activities.

2) Prosecution and Court programs that provide pre-trial services to alleviate overcrowding in local jails by identifying low risk inmates suitable for reduced or recognizance bonds, provide substance abuse and mental health screening, and offer referral services; provide court officials with accurate background information on arrestees and render release recommendations that address safety and appearance considerations; meet with defendants to review their conditions of release and the penalties for not complying with release conditions, failure to appear and re-arrest; assist defendants and the court to prevent issuance of bench warrants and assist defendants in surrendering on outstanding warrants; and make recommendations for citation release.

3) Corrections and Community Corrections programs that assist ex-offenders with job training, obtaining full-time employment, and providing temporary transitional housing upon release from correctional facilities; provide training and technical assistance to agencies that work with offenders and their families on reunification programming when offenders return to the community; and providing educational and vocational training to prepare targeted offenders for a successful return to their communities after having served a significant period of secure confinement in a state training school, juvenile or adult correctional facility, or other secure institution.

4) Planning, Evaluation and Technology Improvement programs that provide innovative statewide initiatives in the areas of technology, courts, corrections and community corrections, specialized prosecution, campus security, crime prevention, and cyber-crime involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

The applicant is requesting ten percent of the funds, $311,793, for administrative costs.

NCA/NCF