NCJ Number
164503
Date Published
1996
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This study enabled the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to systematically document the extent to which projects initiated using Byrne Formula Grant Program funds were institutionalized.
Abstract
The study covered projects supported with fiscal year 1991 Byrne funds, and mail and telephone surveys were employed to examine 3,630 projects. Both State agencies administering the Byrne Program and subgrant recipients were surveyed. The BJA was able to obtain information on and analyze 396 long-term projects. Study findings indicated the Byrne Program was successful in meeting its primary goal, to sponsor innovative projects that effectively responded to crime problems and that improved criminal justice system operations. In addition, study findings demonstrated the Byrne Program was flexible and responsive to differing State and local needs. Of the 3,630 projects supported with Byrne funds, 80.1 percent were refunded in a subsequent fiscal cycle. Of the 396 long-term projects, 289 (73 percent) were still operating at the time of the study, many for as long as 3 to 4 years after Byrne funding ceased. The factor with the strongest relationship to whether a project continued after Byrne funding ceased appeared to be project type. In general, projects normally associated with corrections (e.g., correctional improvements, alternatives to incarceration, and treatment), and prevention and education showed somewhat higher than expected continuation rates. Law enforcement projects showed little deviation from expected rates in the aggregate, but more task forces were refunded and many more general law enforcement improvement projects were short-term than expected. Of the 396 projects, 33.9 percent said the reason for not continuing the project or for continuing it at a lower level of activity involved the inability to obtain sufficient resources. Study forms and supplemental data are contained in five appendixes. 23 footnotes and 9 figures