NCJ Number
248683
Date Published
March 2015
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This fiscal year (FY) 2013 Annual Report of the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) reports on how BJA has used its 2013 funding to promote positive changes in State, local, and tribal justice systems.
Abstract
BJA, a component of the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs, was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, restore security in communities, and reform the Nation's criminal justice system through the development and implementation of policy, services, and sound grant management. BJA provides training, technical assistance, funding, and other resources to State, local, and tribal jurisdictions to aid them in addressing their distinctive public safety needs. In FY 2013, BJA focused its programming and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources to law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners in addressing chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. BJA resources support data-driven and evidence-based practices and policies that quality research has shown to be efficient and effective in achieving the goals of the criminal justice system. BJA has also encouraged innovation and the testing of new strategies to meet public safety needs unique to particular communities and jurisdictions. The efforts BJA has undertaken in FY 2013 reflect the major focus areas of BJA's Strategic Plan for FYs 2013-2016. The four elements of this plan are 1) to reduce violent crime, improve community safety, and support public safety officers; 2) to reduce recidivism and prevent unnecessary confinement; 3) to integrate evidence-based, research-driven strategies into the daily operations of BJA and the programs it administers and supports; and 4) to increase program effectiveness with a renewed emphasis on data analysis, information sharing, and performance management. Charts are provided to show BJA's FY 2013 appropriation and how funding was distributed by program area.