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• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2015 Appropriations [April 28, 2014]

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  "This report tracks and provides an overview of actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2015 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. It also provides an overview of enacted FY2014 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS. The amounts in this report reflect only new appropriations. Therefore, the amounts do not include any rescissions of unobligated or de-obligated balances that may be counted as offsets to newly enacted appropriations, nor do they include any scorekeeping adjustments, such as the balance on the Crime Victims Fund. The FY2014-enacted amounts were taken from the joint explanatory statement to accompany P.L. 113-76, printed in the January 15, 2014, 'Congressional Record' (pp. H507-H532). The FY2015 requested amounts were taken from the appendix to the 'Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015;' U.S. Department of Commerce, 'Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2015;' U.S. Department of Justice, 'Summary of Budget Authority by Appropriation;' National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 'FY2015 President's Budget Request Summary;' and National Science Foundation, 'FY2015 Budget Request to Congress.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-04-28
• FY2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations: Fact Sheet [April 28, 2014]

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  "The annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations act provides funding for agencies such as the Census Bureau; the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Prisons; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the National Science Foundation; along with funding for a variety of criminal justice assistance grant programs for state, local, and tribal governments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-04-28
• Federal Prison Population Buildup: Overview, Policy Changes, Issues, and Options [April 15, 2014]

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  "Since the early 1980s, there has been a historically unprecedented increase in the federal prison population. Some of the growth is attributable to changes in federal criminal justice policy during the previous three decades. An issue before Congress is whether policy makers consider the rate of growth in the federal prison population sustainable, and if not, what changes could be made to federal criminal justice policy to reduce the prison population while maintaining public safety. This report explores the issues related to the growing federal prison population. The number of inmates under the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP's) jurisdiction has increased from approximately 25,000 in FY1980 to over 219,000 in FY2013. Since FY1980, the federal prison population has increased, on average, by approximately 5,900 inmates each year. Data show that a growing proportion of inmates are being incarcerated for immigration- and weapons-related offenses, but the largest portion of newly admitted inmates are being incarcerated for drug offenses. Data also show that approximately 7 in 10 inmates are sentenced for five years or less. Changes in federal sentencing and correctional policy since the early 1980s have contributed to the rapid growth in the federal prison population. These changes include increasing the number of federal offenses subject to mandatory minimum sentences; changes to the federal criminal code that have made more crimes federal offenses; and eliminating parole."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-04-15
• 'Militarization' of Law Enforcement and the Department of Defense's '1033 Program' [August 20, 2014]

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  "Recent clashes between police and protesters in Ferguson, MO, have raised questions about the 'militarization' of law enforcement. Such concerns have focused almost exclusively on the expanding role ofSpecial Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. Congress has also turned its attention to the Department of Defense's (DOD) '1033 Program' and what role it might play in the militarization of law enforcement."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Else, Daniel H.

  2014-08-20
• Can Body Worn Cameras Serve as a Deterrent to Police Misconduct? [August 28, 2014]

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  "Conflicting accounts about what transpired before Michael Brown was shot by Ferguson (MO) Police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9 have raised questions about police accountability and transparency. Requiring law enforcement officers to use body worn cameras (BWCs) has emerged as one idea to deter officer misconduct and reduce the inappropriate use of force, among other things. BWCs are mobile cameras that allow law enforcement officers to record what they see and hear. They can be attached to a helmet, a pair of glasses, or an officer's shirt or badge."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-08-28
• School Resource Officers: Law Enforcement Officers in Schools [February 6, 2014]

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  "Some policymakers have expressed renewed interest in school resource officers (SROs) as a result of the December 2012 mass shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. SROs are sworn law enforcement officers who are assigned to work in schools. For FY2014, the Administration requested $150 million in funding for a Comprehensive Schools Safety Program under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. Congress appropriated $75 million for a Comprehensive School Safety Initiative. Congress required the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to collaborate with key partners from law enforcement, mental health, and education disciplines to develop and publish a comprehensive strategy and model for school safety. Within the amount provided, $50 million is for pilot programs to improve school safety consistent with the school safety model published by the NIJ. The remaining $25 million is for research and evaluation into potential root causes of school violence. […] Two federal grant programs promoted SRO programs: the COPS in Schools (CIS) program, which was funded until FY2005, and State Formula Grants under the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA), which was funded until FY2009. The CIS program provided grants for hiring new, additional school resource officers to conduct community policing services in and around primary and secondary schools. Local educational agencies could use funds they received under the SDFSCA State Formula Grant program for, among other things, hiring and training school security personnel."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; McCallion, Gail

  2014-02-06
• DNA Testing in Criminal Justice: Background, Current Law, Grants, and Issues [February 25, 2014]

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  "Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the fundamental building block for an individual's entire genetic makeup. DNA is a powerful tool for law enforcement investigations because each person's DNA is different from that of every other individual (except for identical twins). […] The criminal justice community began to utilize DNA analyses more often in criminal investigations and trials, and in 1994 Congress enacted legislation to authorize the creation of a national DNA database. State laws dictate which convicted offenders, and sometimes people arrested for crimes, will have profiles entered into state DNA databases, while federal law dictates the scope of the national database. Increasing awareness of the power of DNA to solve crimes has resulted in increased demand for DNA analysis, which has resulted in a backlog of casework. Some jurisdictions have started to use their DNA databases for familial searching, which involves using offender profiles to identify relatives who might be perpetrators of crimes. In addition to solving crimes, DNA analysis can help exonerate people incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Congress has authorized several grant programs to provide assistance to state and local governments for forensic sciences. Many of the programs focus on providing state and local governments with funding to reduce the backlog of forensic and convicted offender DNA samples waiting to be processed and entered into the national database. However, other grant programs provide funding for related purposes, such as offsetting the cost of providing post-conviction DNA testing."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-02-25
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2014 Appropriations [November 4, 2013]

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  "On March 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6). The act provides a total of $60.638 billion for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS). This amount includes $7.726 billion for the Department of Commerce, $27.305 billion for the Department of Justice, $24.737 billion for the science agencies, and $870.1 million for the related agencies. […] This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2014 appropriations for CJS accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2013 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS. The FY2013-enacted and the FY2014-requested appropriations were taken from S.Rept. 113-78. The amounts recommended by the House Committee on Appropriations were taken from H.Rept. 113-171 and the amounts recommended by the Senate Committee on Appropriations were taken from S.Rept. 113-78."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Williams, Jennifer Dingledine, 1945-; Sargent, John F.

  2013-11-04
• Early Release for Federal Inmates: Fact Sheet [February 3, 2014]

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  "Congress has shown interest in ways to reduce the size of the federal prison population by reducing the amount of time inmates serve in prison though such measures as allowing inmates to earn credit toward their sentences for participating in rehabilitative programs. In considering whether or how to modify existing federal sentencing policy, some policymakers might be interested in examining existing means to reduce a federal inmate's sentence. This fact sheet highlights current authorities available to provide for the early release of federal inmates."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-02-03
• Is This the First Step in Undoing Mass Incarceration? 6,000 Federal Drug Offenders Set to be Released [October 22, 2015]

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  "In early November, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is scheduled to release approximately 6,000 federal inmates convicted of drug trafficking offenses. While some have cheered the releases as a sign of efforts to 'right size' drug sentences or reduce mass incarceration, others are concerned about what effect it might have on public safety. […] In April 2014, the U.S. Sentencing Commission (Commission) submitted to Congress proposed amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (Guidelines) that would reduce by two levels the base offense levels assigned to drug offenses, thereby lowering the Guideline ranges for most federal drug trafficking offenses. In July 2014, the Commission voted to apply the amendment retroactively (with the condition that no prisoners who receive reduced drug sentences may be released before November 1, 2015). The amendment went into effect on November 1, 2014, in the absence of disapproval by an act of Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Yeh, Brian T.

  2015-10-22
• Is Violent Crime in the United States Increasing? [October 29, 2015]

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  "On August 31, 2015, the New York Times ran an article with the headline 'Murder Rates Rising Sharply in Many U.S. Cities.' The story highlighted double-digit percentage increases in homicide rates in several cities, and came on the heels of reports from other media outlets of recent spikes in violent crime in cities across the country. Accounts of rising violent crime rates in some cities have generated speculation about whether the United States is in the midst of a new crime wave. Overall, homicide and violent crime rates have been trending downward for more than two decades, and both rates are at historic lows. An analysis comparing 2014 and 2015 homicide data from the nation's 60 most populous cities suggests that violent crime is not increasing. Overall, reported homicides were up 16% in 2015, but a majority of cities (44 of 60) have not seen a statistically significant increase in homicides. The general consensus is that it is too early to draw any conclusions about the reversal of long-term trends. Also, even if homicide and violent crime rates do increase this year, it may not portend a break in the long-term trend. Even though both rates have been on a downward trend since 1990, there were years where either the homicide rate or violent crime rate increased. […] The recent discussion about the increases in violent crime in some cities might raise the question of whether there is a need for more 'real time' nationwide crime statistics. More frequent and consistent crime data might be able to provide greater insight into crime trends. However, there are logistical issues involved with collecting and reporting timely and accurate crime statistics from the nation's approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-10-29
• Federal Tactical Teams [September 3, 2015]

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  From the Summary: "In 2014 and 2015, reports of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams used by law enforcement agencies in allegedly questionable raids or in what appeared to be aggressive responses to public disturbances generated interest among policymakers in federal tactical teams. There is no single source for data on federal tactical teams. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) surveyed federal agencies with law enforcement personnel to collect basic information on any tactical teams they maintain. The number of tactical teams has proliferated among American law enforcement since the first SWAT team was formed by the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1960s. Research has shown that most law enforcement agencies now have a tactical team. Data also show that these teams are being deployed more frequently. As the acronym SWAT implies, such teams are deployed against particularly dangerous criminals and in challenging situations. This report provides baseline data on federal tactical teams."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-09-03
• Body Armor for Law Enforcement Officers: In Brief [January 13, 2015]

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  "Firearms are one of the leading causes of deaths for law enforcement officers feloniously killed in the line of duty. Since FY1999, Congress has provided funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to help them purchase armor vests for their officers. The Matching Grant Program for Law Enforcement Armor Vests (hereinafter, 'BPV program') provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers and court officers. The BPV program was first authorized by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-181). It has been subsequently reauthorized four times. The most recent reauthorization expired in FY2012. Since FY1999, appropriations for the program have generally been between $25 million and $30 million. However, over the past three fiscal years appropriations for the program were less than $23 million. Armor vests can only save lives when they are actually worn. Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that an increasing percentage of police departments and sheriffs' offices have instituted 'mandatory wear' policies. […] Should Congress consider legislation to reauthorize the BPV program, policy makers may consider several issues, including (1) what role the federal government should play, if any, in providing armor vests for state and local law enforcement, (2) whether Congress should rescind deobligated balances from the BPV program, (3) whether Congress should invest in developing new technology for armor vests, and (4) whether Congress should require law enforcement agencies to provide training on the care and maintenance of body armor as a condition of receiving funding under the BPV program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-01-13
• Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program: Fact Sheet [January 7, 2015]

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  "People with mental illness comprise a significant proportion of the population involved with the criminal justice system. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that at midyear 2005, over half of state prison and local jail inmates had a mental health problem. Mental health courts were developed to respond to the large number of people in the criminal justice systems with mental illness. The federal government provides funding to support mental health courts across the country through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration program. The purpose of the program is to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health treatment, and substance abuse systems to increase access to treatment for offenders with mental illness. Authorized funding for this program expired at the end of FY2014. Even though authorized appropriations expired at the end of FY2014, Congress appropriated funding for the program for FY2015."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-01-07
• Backlog of Sexual Assault Evidence: In Brief [October 19, 2015]

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  "Sexual assault kits (SAKs, also referred to as 'rape kits') are used by medical professionals to collect evidence during a forensic medical exam of a sexual assault victim in order to establish elements of a crime. Generally, upon completion of the medical exam the kit is transferred to an authorized law enforcement agency that logs the kit into evidence. Procedure and protocol regarding when and where kits are sent, however, vary across jurisdictions. Some law enforcement agencies automatically send the kits to forensic laboratories for testing while others wait for varying amounts of time; in some cases depending on when/if a police officer or prosecutor requests forensic analysis of the kits. Evidence from these kits may help identify, convict, or exonerate an offender. Evidence may also be stored in DNA [deoxi-ribose nucleic acid] databases for use in other cases. […] The backlog of SAKs has raised concerns over justice for assault victims and that evidence in untested kits could be used to prevent suspects from victimizing others. SAKs may remain untested for reasons such as limited resources of laboratories and law enforcement and police discretion. Police may opt not to pursue a forensic investigation for a variety of reasons including perception of victim cooperation or a decision that the results of the kit would not be pertinent to the overall investigation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sacco, Lisa N.; James, Nathan

  2015-10-19
• Body Armor for Law Enforcement Officers: In Brief [January 28, 2016]

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  From the Summary: "Firearms are one of the leading causes of deaths for law enforcement officers feloniously killed in the line of duty. Since FY1999, Congress has provided funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to help them purchase armor vests for their officers. The Matching Grant Program for Law Enforcement Armor Vests (hereinafter, 'BPV program') provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers and court officers. The BPV program was first authorized by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-181). It has been subsequently reauthorized four times. The most recent reauthorization expired in FY2012. Between FY1999 and FY2012, annual appropriations for the program generally ranged been between $25 million and $30 million. However, over the past four fiscal years, annual appropriations for the program were less than $23 million."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-01-28
• Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program: Fact Sheet [February 2, 2016]

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  "People with mental illness comprise a significant proportion of the population involved with the criminal justice system. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that at midyear 2005, over half of state prison and local jail inmates had a mental health problem. Mental health courts were developed to respond to the large number of people in the criminal justice systems with mental illness. The federal government provides funding to support mental health courts across the country through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration program. The purpose of the program is to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health treatment, and substance abuse systems to increase access to treatment for offenders with mental illness. Authorized funding for this program expired at the end of FY2014, although, Congress has continued to appropriate funding for the program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-02-02
• Police Shootings and Federal Support for Law Enforcement Safety [July 19, 2016]

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  "The recent shooting deaths of police officers in Dallas, TX, and Baton Rouge, LA, have served as a reminder of the danger law enforcement officers can face while serving the public. While these attacks have heightened attention on deaths suffered by police officers in the line of duty, data indicate that the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has generally decreased over the past three decades. However, the number of officers killed in ambush situations has remained fairly steady. Annually, on average, nine law enforcement officers have died in ambush situations between 1979 and 2014."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-07-19
• Apparent First in U.S. Law Enforcement Use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles [July 26, 2016]

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  "On the night of July 7, 2016, Micah Johnson opened fire on law enforcement officers who were observing a protest against police-involved shootings in Dallas, TX. Johnson killed five officers and wounded seven. Johnson was later killed by an explosive device deployed by a bomb disposal robot (also known as an 'unmanned ground vehicle,' or 'UGV'). While the tactic is being hailed by some as an innovative way to tackle a dangerous threat and a way to save officers' lives, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) use of a robot to kill an active shooter has raised questions about what this might mean for how police use force in the future."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-07-26
• Federal Prison Population Buildup: Options for Congress [May 20, 2016]

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  This report discusses policy options for congress regarding federal prison population buildup. "Since the early 1980s, there has been a historically unprecedented increase in the federal prison population. The total number of inmates under the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) jurisdiction increased from approximately 25,000 in FY1980 [Fiscal Year] to over 205,000 in FY2015. […] Should Congress choose to consider policy options to address the issues resulting from the growth in the federal prison population, policymakers could choose options such as increasing the capacity of the federal prison system by building more prisons; investing in rehabilitative programming (e.g., substance abuse treatment or educational programs) as a way of keeping inmates constructively occupied and potentially reducing recidivism after inmates are released; or placing more inmates in private prisons. Policymakers might also consider whether they want to revise some of the policy changes over the past three decades that have contributed to the steadily increasing number of offenders being incarcerated. For example, Congress could consider options such as (1) modifying mandatory minimum penalties, (2) expanding the use of Residential Reentry Centers, (3) placing more offenders on probation, (4) reinstating parole for federal inmates, (5) expanding the amount of good time credit an inmate can earn, and (6) repealing federal criminal statutes for some offenses. Congress is currently considering legislation (e.g., S. 2123, H.R. 3713) that would put into effect some of the policy options discussed in this report, including expanding the 'safety valve' for some low-level offenders, allowing inmates to earn additional good time credit as a part of a risk"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-05-20
• Overview of FY2017 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) [June 13, 2016]

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  "This report tracks and describes actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2017 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. It also provides an overview of enacted FY2016 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as part of annual CJS appropriations. The amounts in this report reflect only new appropriations. Therefore, the amounts do not include any rescissions of unobligated or de-obligated balances that may be counted as offsets to newly enacted appropriations, nor do they include any scorekeeping adjustments (such as the balance on the Crime Victims Fund). The FY2016-enacted appropriations were taken from the text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) and the joint explanatory statement to accompany the act, printed in the December 17, 2015, Congressional Record. The Administration's FY2017 requested amounts were taken from each department's and agency's respective budget justification and the report to accompany S. 2837 (S.Rept. 114-239). The Senate Committee-reported amounts were taken from S.Rept. 114-239. The House Committee-reported amounts were taken from H.Rept. 114-605."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-06-13
• FY2017 Appropriations for the Department of Justice [June 9, 2016]

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  "The mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to 'enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.' DOJ provides legal advice and opinions, upon request, to the President and executive branch department heads. DOJ prosecutes individuals accused of violating federal laws and it represents the U.S. government in court. The department enforces federal criminal and civil laws, including antitrust, civil rights, environmental, and tax laws. DOJ, through agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), investigates organized and violent crime, illegal drugs, and gun and explosives violations. The department, through the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), protects the federal judiciary, apprehends fugitives, and detains individuals who are not granted pretrial release. DOJ's Bureau of Prisons (BOP) incarcerates individuals convicted of violating federal laws. The department also provides grants and training to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-06-09
• FY2017 Appropriations for the Department of Justice Grant Programs [June 9, 2016]

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  "Each year Congress provides funding for a variety of grant programs through the Department of Justice (DOJ). These programs provide funding to state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations for a variety of criminal justice-related purposes, such as programs to combat violence against women, reduce backlogs of DNA evidence, support community policing efforts, assist crime victims, promote prisoner reentry efforts, and improve the functioning of the juvenile justice system. Congress funds these programs through five accounts in the annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations act: Violence Against Women Programs; Research, Evaluation, and Statistics; State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance; Juvenile Justice Programs; and Community Oriented Policing Services. This report provides an overview of congressional actions to fund DOJ's grant programs through these accounts for FY2017. The report also provides information on FY2016 appropriations for DOJ's grant programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-06-09
• Overview of FY2017 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) [March 7, 2016]

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  "This report tracks and describes actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2017 appropriations for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2016 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as part of annual CJS appropriations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2016-03-07
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2014 Appropriations [May 21, 2013]

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  "On April 10, 2013, President Obama submitted his FY2014 budget to Congress. The Administration requests a total of $63.310 billion for the agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill. The Administration's request includes $8.596 billion for the Department of Commerce, $28.405 billion for the Department of Justice, $25.347 billion for the science agencies, and $962.1 million for the related agencies. On March 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6). The act provides a total of $60.638 billion for CJS. This amount includes $7.726 billion for the Department of Commerce, $27.305 billion for the Department of Justice, $24.737 billion for the science agencies, and $870.1 million for the related agencies. This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2014 appropriations for CJS accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2013 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sargent, John F.; Williams, Jennifer Dingledine, 1945-; James, Nathan

  2013-05-21
• School Resource Officers: Law Enforcement Officers in Schools [June 26, 2013]

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  "Schools have a mission of great importance to our nation--they are responsible for keeping our children safe while educating them and helping prepare them to be responsible and productive citizens. The December 14, 2012, shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, that claimed the lives of 20 children and 6 adults, has heightened congressional interest in school security. Policymakers have begun debating whether school security can be further enhanced, and if so, how best to accomplish that goal. A wide variety of proposals have been offered at the federal level, such as funding for expanded mental health services for students, funding for training on mental health awareness for school staff, funding to assist schools in improving school climate, funding for more school counselors, and funding for more school resource officers (SROs) or other armed security personnel. […] This report focuses on one of these proposals--the renewed focus on providing federal funding for more SROs as a means to preventing school shootings. It examines the distribution of and current number of SROs, the potential sustainability of any increase in the number of SROs, and the effect that SROs may have on students and the academic setting. It also examines what available research studies suggest about the extent to which SROs may reduce school violence. These are issues Congress may consider while contemplating an expansion of SRO programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; McCallion, Gail

  2013-06-26
• Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Operations and Budget [June 3, 2013]

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  "The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was established in 1930 to house federal inmates, professionalize the prison service, and ensure consistent and centralized administration of the federal prison system. The BOP is the largest correctional agency in the country, in terms of the number of prisoners under its jurisdiction. The BOP must confine any offender convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a federal court. All BOP correctional facilities are classified according to one of five different security levels: minimum, low, medium, high, or administrative. An inmate's designation to a particular institution is based primarily on the level of security and supervision the inmate requires; the level of security and staff supervision the institution is able to provide; and the inmate's program needs. All inmates undergo a comprehensive intake screening when they are admitted to a BOP facility. The BOP provides health care for all inmates either through each prison's ambulatory care clinics or by contracting for services through local hospitals. The BOP also provides mental health treatment to inmates who demonstrate a need for it through staff psychologists. The BOP has an established inmate disciplinary system, whereby sanctions are imposed on inmates for committing prohibited acts. An inmate is allowed to request a review of his or her conditions of confinement through the BOP's Administrative Remedy Program. Inmates have access to a variety of rehabilitational programs including education programs, substance abuse treatment, vocational education, and work opportunities. In order to help aid an inmate's transition back into the community, inmates can be placed in a Residential Reentry Center (i.e., a halfway house) for a period of time before their sentence expires."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2013-06-03
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: FY2013 Appropriations [April 24, 2013]

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  "On February 13, 2012, President Obama submitted his FY2013 budget to Congress. The Administration requests a total of $62.076 billion for the agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill. The Administration's request includes $7.978 billion for the Department of Commerce, $28.079 billion for the Department of Justice, $25.090 billion for the science agencies, and $929.2 million for the related agencies. The FY2013 request for CJS is 1.9% greater than the FY2012 appropriation of $60.910 billion. On April 19, 2012, the Senate Committee on Appropriations reported the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (S. 2323). The bill includes a total of $61.762 billion for the agencies and bureaus that would be funded by the bill. The Senate committee-reported amount is 1.4% greater than the FY2012 appropriation of $60.910 billion, but it is 0.1% below the Administration's request. The bill includes $6.288 billion for the Department of Commerce, $27.866 billion for the Department of Justice, $26.679 billion for the science agencies, and $929.2 million for the related agencies. On May 10, 2012, the House passed the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (H.R. 5326). The bill would provide $60.879 billion for CJS. The House-passed amount is under 0.1% less than the FY2012 appropriation, 1.5% less than the Administration's request, and 1.4% below the Senate Committee on Appropriation's mark. The bill includes $7.663 billion for the Department of Commerce, $27.584 billion for the Department of Justice, $24.786 billion for the science agencies, and $845.9 million for the related agencies. On March 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6). The act provides a total of $60.638 billion for CJS. This amount includes $7.726 billion for the Department of Commerce, $27.305 billion for the Department of Justice, $24.737 billion for the science agencies, and $870.1 million for the related agencies. This report will track and describe actions taken by the Administration and Congress to provide FY2013 appropriations for CJS accounts. It also provides an overview of FY2012 appropriations for agencies and bureaus funded as a part of the annual appropriation for CJS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Williams, Jennifer Dingledine, 1945-; Sargent, John F.

  2013-04-24
• Federal Data on Hate Crimes in the United States [Updated March 22, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "A number of recent and high-profile crimes where the offenders' actions appeared to be motivated by their bias or animosity towards a particular race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity has contributed to a perception that hate crimes are on the rise in the United States. These incidents might also generate interest among policymakers about how the federal government collects data on hate crimes committed in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Hanson, Emily J.

  2021-03-22
• Department of Justice's Role in Investigating and Prosecuting Hate Crimes [Updated March 18, 2021]

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  From the Document: "In 2019, law enforcement agencies reported 7,314 hate crimes involving 8,812 victims and 6,406 known offenders to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Most hate crimes are investigated by local law enforcement agencies and prosecuted by local district attorneys' offices. However, in some cases hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted by the Department of Justice (DOJ). In the wake of high-profile hate crimes, policymakers might have an interest in the circumstances under which DOJ has jurisdiction over hate crime cases. This In Focus describes when DOJ can investigate hate crimes and how these investigations are conducted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2021-03-18