The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is a primary source of federal funding to state and local jurisdictions supporting a range of criminal legal system improvement and community advancement programs.

The U.S. Department of Justice requires states to prepare a comprehensive strategic plan to guide overall JAG program implementation. The plan spans five years and is updated every two years. A subcommittee of JAG Advisory Committee members guided the development of the plan.

The draft strategic plan proposes:

1. The creation of a new JAG Innovation Fund, an initiative to support short-term, smaller projects that advance equity and promote new and promising practices in the criminal legal system. Approximately $1.5 million dollars of JAG funding would be dedicated to the initiative each year.? ?
2. The creation of a second solicitation supporting programs and initiatives in three priority areas of focus: Planning, Evaluation and Technology Improvement; Crime Victim Programming, Support and Advocacy; and Community Safety Enhancement and Law Enforcement Programs/Support.
3. That Commerce commission a Criminal Legal System Needs Assessment to inform future efforts.

How to participate

Please read the Draft Byrne-JAG Strategic Plan and submit your comments?by?Noon, Tuesday June 20.??

View/download draft plan (Box PDF)

SUBMIT COMMENTS (SmartSheet)

Questions?

For questions about the JAG program or this public input process, please contact Anica Stieve, (360) 89-6199.