JAG Program Overview

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas. The JAG Program was created as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, which merged the discretionary Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program with the formula-based Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program. More JAG information can be obtained through the Bureau of Justice Assistance website  www.bja.gov and here Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Fact Page.

 

JAG in California

California has received approximately $16 million in JAG funding annually from 2012 through 2020. Below are the federally approved program purpose areas for which the grant funding can be used:

  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. Crime victim and witness initiatives
  7. Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
  8. Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams

 

Public Comment for Federal JAG 2022-2025 Spending Priorities

As part of its three-year strategic planning process, the BSCC will hold a months-long public input process that will help establish priorities for 2022-2025 grant funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Previous planning processes have established the current state funding priorities areas of: Prevention and Education; Law Enforcement; and Prosecution, Courts, and Indigent Defense. But those priorities could change depending upon the new feedback the BSCC receives.

The BSCC held teleconference listening sessions to receive public comment on October 6 and 8, 2020.  In addition the BSCC is continuing to accept written comment:

  • Email: JAG2022@bscc.ca.gov.  In the subject line of the email, list the program purpose area(s) on which you are providing input.
  • USPS: Daryle McDaniel, 2590 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 200, Sacramento CA 95834.
  • Comments must be received by October 30, 2020

Public comment should be related to one or more of the JAG program purpose areas listed above. Criminal Justice stakeholders both juvenile and adult and the public are encouraged to participate.

The comments will be used to form a survey that will be widely distributed and allow participants to provide additional input on final priorities. To receive the final survey, please sign up here http://www.bscc.ca.gov/s_bsccmailchimplisterserv.