NCJ Number
168943
Date Published
1997
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This document answers questions about the fiscal year 1998 program requirements and application guidelines for a Federal grant program to assist States in incarcerating violent offenders and to encourage States to implement truth-in-sentencing.
Abstract
The document is intended as a companion document to the program guidance and application kit (NCJ-168942) for the Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing Incentive Grant Program. Approximately $509 million is available for distribution under the formula grant program in FY1998. The program has three purposes. It provides funds to build or expand correctional facilities to increase the capacity for confining persons convicted of a Part 1 violent crime or adjudicated delinquents for acts that would be a Part 1 violent crime if committed by an adult. It also provides funds to build or expand jails. In addition, it funds temporary or permanent correctional facilities to confine convicted nonviolent offenders and criminal aliens to free existing prison space to confine persons convicted of a Part 1 violent crime. Moreover, incentive grants are provided for States with truth-in-sentencing laws that require violent offenders to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence imposed. The questions and answers cover the definitions, eligibility criteria, exceptions for geriatric inmates and prisoners with medical conditions, allowable uses of funds, drug testing requirements, inmate death reporting, sharing of funds with units of local governments, juvenile and private facilities, and implementation and administration.