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DOJ Press Release letterhead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 17, 2005
https://ojp.gov/
Office of Justice Programs
Contact: Joan LaRocca
Phone: (202) 307-0703
TTY: (202) 514-1888

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $65 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT JUVENILE JUSTICE INITIATIVES

WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) today announced more than $65 million in grants to support state and local juvenile justice initiatives. The grants, administered by OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), provide for state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements.

     "Creating a justice system for juvenile offenders that balances community safety and the safety of young offenders is an important factor in juvenile delinquency management," said Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "The Department of Justice is dedicated to developing a system that holds juveniles accountable while developing options that guide our youth away from inappropriate behavior."

     Funds from these formula grants are allocated to each state, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories based upon their proportionate population younger than 18. States fund a variety of programs related to preventing and controlling delinquency and improving the juvenile justice system, including conducting research, evaluation, statistics and other informational activities and training and technical assistance.

     Program areas may include juvenile justice issues for American Indian tribes, prevention of use and abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol by juveniles, and prevention of juvenile gang involvement and illegal youth gang activities. States may also use the funding to identify youth at risk of delinquency and to support the improvement of juvenile justice system operations, policies and procedures through activities which include establishing a system of graduated sanctions, treatment programs, and aftercare services.

     States adhere to stringent guidelines, including the deinstitutionalization of status offenders, which prohibits juveniles from being detained or confined in adult facilities; the separation of juveniles from adult offenders; prohibition, except under certain conditions, from detaining or confining juveniles in adult jails and lockups; and efforts to reduce the disproportionate number of juvenile members of minority groups who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

     Additionally, states must prepare and administer a comprehensive three-year juvenile justice and delinquency prevention plan and establish a State Advisory Group, which provides policy direction and administration of the formula grant program plan.

     The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP is headed by an Assistant Attorney General and comprises five component bureaus and two offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime, as well as the Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education and the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy and OJP's American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Desk. More information can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov.

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