DOJ awards $4.4B to address ‘root causes behind criminal behavior’ in U.S. communities

The United States Department of Justice announced today the award of $4.4 billion to support state, local and Tribal public safety and community justice activities.

The grants are awarded from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.

“Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.”

The more than 3,700 OJP grants awarded in fiscal year 2023 will support state, local and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at risk of justice system involvement. Funding will also expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help individuals safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges.

“In the Western District of Virginia, addressing the root causes behind criminal behavior involves impactful diversion initiatives like Adult Drug Courts, which have emerged as catalysts for bolstering community security while curbing repeat offenses through treatment services, defendant supervision, and graduated levels of incentives and sanctions related to program compliance,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said.

Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities:

• Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust, helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country.
• More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders.
• Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse.
• More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization.
• Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims.

“Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.”

In the Western District of Virginia, several communities that will receive grant funding include, but are not limited to:

• The Alleghany County/City of Covington Adult Drug Court (ACADTC) will receive $999,805 in order to assist in finding housing and transportation, increase the number of visits per week, improve family and peer supports, assist with job training and employment skills, and address the mental health needs of the ACADTC participants. The grant will provide funding for multiple staff positions and operating costs for 48 months.
• Piedmont Regional Community Services (Piedmont) in Martinsville will receives $1 million to expand the adult drug court that supports Henry County. This grant funding will allow Piedmont to expand its capacity to serve an additional 60 participants over the next four years.