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Myth of "Doing More with Less": The Effect of Continuous Cuts to Federal Funds for Law Enforcement, RSAT and Victim Services

NCJ Number
247633
Author(s)
Stefanie Lopez-Howard; Stephanie Larrick
Date Published
2014
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This report documents the effect of continuous cuts to Federal funds for law enforcement, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grants, and victim services on the State of Georgia.
Abstract
In a recent letter to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder stated that discretionary grant funds might have to "donate" funds to sustain Justice Department operations, such as the Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Further cuts in addition to those mandated under sequestration could mean additional and deeper cuts to the State formula grants administered by the Justice Department. History indicates that less funding ultimately requires cutting services and diminishes the capacity to fulfill mandated responsibilities. Continued cuts in Byrne-JAG, for example, may result in the closure of more Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Forces (MJDTFs), which means diminishing drug crime enforcement in Georgia. RSAT programs are experiencing an impact from prior cuts that have reduced the number of available beds in the State for the treatment of juvenile offenders. Cuts in funds for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) means more crime victims will not be served. 6 figures and 24 notes