National Assessment of the Byrne Formula Grant Program: A Policy Maker's Overview; Report 4

• NCJ Number: 163384
• Author(s): T Dunworth; P Haynes; A J Saiger
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 120 pages
• Grant Number(s): 91-IJ-CX-K024
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National Institute of Justice Research Report, December 1996.

Annotation

This fourth in a series of five reports produced from the National Assessment of the Edward Byrne Formula Grant Program authorized under the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act provides an overview of how the program has been implemented.

Abstract

The goals of the legislation and the Byrne Formula Grant Program are to improve coordination between Federal and State authorities and between State and local criminal justice systems in addressing substance abuse treatment and prevention. The goals of the National Assessment were to determine the way that Federal, State, and local activities have been shaped by the legislation and the effectiveness with which those activities have been undertaken. The assessment concludes that in most areas, Federal, State, and local activities complied with the statutory requirements of the 1988 Act. This holds for State strategic planning, the review and approval of plans by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and regulatory constraints. Further, the interaction and cooperation between the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Institute of Justice on the one hand and State recipients of Byrne funding on the other have been effectively developed and have resulted in excellent working relationships. The assessment also concludes that, on the basis of a nationwide survey, intensive on-site work in seven States, and numerous meetings and discussions with State and project personnel, the Byrne program has been well-implemented at the State level. Further, improved efficiency and rationality in the use of resources has been achieved by pursuing an incremental planning approach that is appropriate to the realities of the criminal justice system. Regarding evaluation prospects for Byrne grant programs, the assessment concludes that the Federal Government has not yet developed effective procedures for accumulating, analyzing, and disseminating information on the Byrne program. Recommendations for an improved evaluation structure are offered. 18 figures are provided. For other reports produced by the National Assessment, see NCJ-163381-83 and 163385 (executive summary of this report).