Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grant (JAG)
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Grants & Planning Branch, is the State Administering Agency (SAA) for JAG funds. JAG can be utilized for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, strategic planning, research and evaluation (including forensics), data collection, training, personnel, equipment, forensic laboratories, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems that will improve and enhance the criminal justice system.
JAG FEDERAL PROGRAM AREAS AND STATE PRIORITY AREAS
When applying for JAG funds, applicants must address one of the following Federal Program Areas and one of the following State Priority Areas.
FEDERAL PROGRAM AREAS
- Law Enforcement Programs
- Prosecution and Court Programs
- Prevention and Education Programs
- Corrections and Community Corrections Programs
- Drug Treatment and Enforcement Programs
- Planning, Evaluation, and Technology Improvement Programs
- Mental Health Programs and Related Law Enforcement and Corrections Programs, Including Behavioral Programs and Crisis Intervention Teams
- Implementation of State Crisis Intervention Court Proceedings and Related Programs or Initiatives
STATE PRIORITY AREAS
- Decrease the impact of drug crime in Hawaii
- Decrease the barriers to community integration (including prevention and reentry efforts)
- Support capacity building and coordination efforts in Hawaii’s Criminal Justice System
- Support responses to address urgent/emergent criminal justice issues
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
State and local government agencies.
AWARDS
In Calendar Year 2024, the following projects were awarded funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
| JAG SUB-GRANTEE AWARDS | ||
| Agency Awarded | Title of Application | Award |
| Hawaii Police Department | Statewide Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force | $47,750 |
| Kauai Police Department | Statewide Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force | $44,481 |
| Maui Police Department | Statewide Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force | $50,808 |
| Department of Law Enforcement | Statewide Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force | $94,389 |
| Maui Police Department | LIYT (Live In Your Truth) | $47,877 |
| Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation | Prison Rape Elimination Act | $50,371 |
| Hawaii Police Department | Special Response Team (SRT) Capability Enhancement | $50,357 |
| Maui Police Department | TruNarc Part II | $148,050 |
| Kauai County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney | Methamphetamine & Opioid (Fentanyl) Focused Prosecution | $101,000 |
| Honolulu Police Department | Malama I Na Keiki (Take Care of the Children) | $70,834 |
| Honolulu Police Department | HPD Maile Amber Alert | $54,970 |
| Maui County Department of the Prosecuting Attorney | Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Prosecutor-Led Diversion Project | $59,991 |
STRATEGIC PLAN
Effective with the 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award, SAAs are to develop a multi-year statewide strategy to ensure coordination and a more effective functioning of the criminal justice system. JAG funds are intended to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities under the JAG program.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2024-2028 Strategic Plan
RELATED TRAININGS & EVENTS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
JAG recipients are required to submit the following reports:
Program Reporting
- Project Self Assessment (PSA) – Due 7 days after contract execution
- Performance Metrics Tool (PMT) – Due online every quarter (April 15th, July 15th, October 15th and January 15th)
- Semi-Annual Progress Report – Due every six months (July 15th and January 15th)
Fiscal Reporting
- Request for Funds (RFF) Report on a monthly basis – Due to CPJAD office by the 15th of every month
- Project Expenditures & Obligations Report (PEO) on a quarterly basis – Due to CPJAD office by the 15th every quarter (April 15th, July 15th, October 15th and January 15th)
JAG FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
JAG FORMS
- Semi-Annual Progress Report Form (01_2017)
- BJA Performance Measurement Tool (BJA PMT) for JAG sub-grantees
JAG INFORMATION LINKS
- BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program
- BJA JAG Prohibited Expenditure List and Controlled Expenditure List
- BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Fact Sheet
- OJP Performance Measurement Platform Log-In Instructions for PMT reporting
- DOJ Grants Financial Guide
FEDERALLY MANDATED REDUCTIONS/PENALTIES
The JAG program has been subjected to several unfunded federal mandates. If States are unable to meet these mandates, then their respective JAG awards are reduced as stipulated by the mandate. There are two mandates that have a financial impact on the JAG grant for Hawaii: the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The penalties only impact the state portion of the JAG award.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION ACT (SORNA)
SORNA, Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-248) “provides a comprehensive set of minimum standard for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA aims to close potential gaps and loopholes that existed under prior law and generally strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs”. The Act established a 10% penalty in JAG funding for jurisdictions that failed to “substantially implement” SORNA by July 27, 2011. Non-compliant states may request for penalized funds to be reallocated back to the state to work towards compliance. The penalty was first applied to the FY 2012 JAG award.
PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT
The PREA of 2003 (Public Law 108-79) was created to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in confinement facilities, including: prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, lockups, and community confinements. “The purpose of the Act is to provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape” (Prison Rape Elimination Act, 2003). The Act mandates a five percent reduction to JAG funds to non-complying States; a state whose governor does not certify fully compliance with PREA Standards. Funding reductions began with the FY 2014 JAG award. States may request a waiver to apply the penalty to cost and activities associated with meeting the Act requirements.