Advanced search    Help

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

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

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "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
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Background and Funding [May 14, 2013]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program was created by Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). The mission of the COPS program is to advance community policing in all jurisdictions across the United States. The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-162) reauthorized the COPS program through FY2009 and changed it from a multi-grant program to a single-grant program. Between FY1995 and FY1996, the annual appropriation for the COPS program averaged more than $1.4 billion. The relatively high levels of funding during this time period were largely the result of Congress's and the Clinton Administration's efforts to place 100,000 new law enforcement officers on the street. Appropriations for the program started to wane in FY2002 before increasing again for the four-year period between FY2007 and FY2010. Congress started to reduce funding for the COPS program as it moved away from providing funding for hiring new law enforcement officers and changed COPS into a conduit for providing federal assistance to support local law enforcement agencies. Starting in FY1998, an increasing portion of the annual appropriation for COPS was dedicated to programs to help law enforcement agencies purchase new equipment, combat methamphetamine production, upgrade criminal records, and improve forensic sciences. Funding for the COPS program decreased in both FY2011 and FY2012, which can be attributed to reduced funding for the COPS Hiring Program, the congressional earmark ban, and Congress moving appropriations for programs that were traditionally funded under the COPS account to other accounts. Funding for the COPS program did increase slightly in FY2013, even after sequestration. One issue Congress might consider is whether the federal government should continue to provide grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire additional officers at a time of historically low crime rates."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2013-05-14
• Offender Reentry: Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism [January 12, 2015]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The number of people incarcerated in the United States grew steadily for nearly 30 years. That number has been slowly decreasing since 2008, but as of 2012 there were still over 2 million people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the country. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that since 1990 an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from state and federal prisons and almost 5 million ex-offenders are under some form of community-based supervision. Nearly all prisoners will return to their communities as some point. Offender reentry can include all the activities and programming conducted to prepare prisoners to return safely to the community and to live as law-abiding citizens. Some ex-offenders, however, eventually end up back in prison. The BJS's most recent study on recidivism showed that within five years of release nearly three-quarters of ex-offenders released in 2005 came back into contact with the criminal justice system, and more than half returned to prison after either being convicted for a new crime or for violating the conditions of their release. […] The federal government's involvement in offender reentry programs typically occurs through grant funding, which is available through a wide array of federal programs at the Departments of Justice, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services. However, only a handful of grant programs in the federal government are designed explicitly for offender reentry purposes. The Department of Justice has started an interagency Reentry Council to coordinate federal reentry efforts and advance effective reentry policies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-01-12
• Public Trust and Law Enforcement-A Brief Discussion for Policy Makers [February 9, 2015]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Recent events involving conflict between the police and citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the people they serve while promoting effective crime reduction. This report provides a brief overview of police-community relations and how the federal government might be able to promote more accountability and better relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Gallup poll data show that, overall, Americans are confident in the police; but, confidence in the police varies according to race, place of residence, and other factors. In 2014, less than 50% of Americans favorably rated the honesty and ethics of police, the lowest percentage since 1998. If they conclude that low public ratings of the police are at least partially attributable to police policies, Congress may decide to address state and local law enforcement policies and practices they believe erode public trust in law enforcement. Federalism limits the amount of influence Congress can have over state and local law enforcement policy. Regardless, the federal government might choose to promote better law enforcement-community relations and accountability through (1) federal efforts to collect and disseminate data on the use of force by law enforcement, (2) statutes that allow the federal government to investigate instances of alleged police misconduct, and (3) the influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) has on state and local policing through its role as an enforcer, policy leader, convener, and funder of law enforcement."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Finklea, Kristin M. . . .

  2015-02-09
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program: In Brief [February 3, 2015]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides three different types of benefits to public safety officers and their survivors: death, disability, and education benefits. The PSOB program is administered by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA's), PSOB Office. The PSOB death benefit is a mandatory program, and the disability and education benefits are discretionary programs. As such, Congress appropriates 'such sums as are necessary' each fiscal year to fund the PSOB death benefit program while appropriating separate amounts for both the disability and education benefits programs. […] Claimants have the opportunity to appeal denied claims. If the PSOB Office denies a claim, the claimant can request that a hearing officer review the claim. If the hearing officer denies the claim, the claimant can request that the Director of BJA review the claim. Claimants may file supporting evidence or legal arguments along with their request for a review by a hearing officer or the Director. If the claim is denied by the Director, claimants can appeal the denial in the United States Court of Federal Claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1491(a)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2015-02-03
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program [November 19, 2013]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides three different types of benefits to public safety officers and their survivors: a death, a disability, and an education benefit. The PSOB program is administered by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA's), PSOB Office. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum death benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct and proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty or from certain line-of-duty heart attacks, strokes, and vascular ruptures. For deaths occurring after October 1, 2013, the one-time lump sum benefit is $333,605. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum disability benefit to public safety officers who have been permanently and totally disabled by a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, if the injury permanently prevents the officer from performing any gainful work. For injuries that result in permanent disability that occur on or after October 1, 2013, the benefit is $333,605. […] As of October 1, 2013, the maximum award for a full-time student was $1,003 per month. […] The PSOB death benefit is a mandatory program, and the disability and education benefits are discretionary programs. As such, Congress appropriates 'such sums as are necessary' each fiscal year to fund the PSOB death benefit program while appropriating separate amounts for both the disability and education benefits programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2013-11-19
• Offender Reentry: Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism [January 7, 2014]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The prison population in the United States has been growing steadily for more than 30 years. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that since 1990 an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from state and federal prisons and almost 5 million ex-offenders are under some form of community-based supervision. Offender reentry can include all the activities and programming conducted to prepare ex-convicts to return safely to the community and to live as law-abiding citizens. Some ex-offenders, however, eventually end up back in prison. The most recent national-level recidivism study is 10 years old; this study showed that two-thirds of exoffenders released in 1994 came back into contact with the criminal justice system within three years of their release. Compared with the average American, ex-offenders are less educated, less likely to be gainfully employed, and more likely to have a history of mental illness or substance abuse--all of which have been shown to be risk factors for recidivism. […] The federal government's involvement in offender reentry programs typically occurs through grant funding, which is available through a wide array of federal programs at the Departments of Justice, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services. However, only a handful of grant programs in the federal government are designed explicitly for offender reentry purposes. The Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) was enacted on April 9, 2008. The act expanded the existing offender reentry grant program at the Department of Justice and created a wide array of targeted grant-funded pilot programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2014-01-07
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program: In Brief [January 23, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides three different types of benefits to public safety officers and their survivors: death, disability, and education benefits. The PSOB program is administered by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA's), PSOB Office. The PSOB death benefit is a mandatory program, and the disability and education benefits are discretionary programs. As such, Congress appropriates 'such sums as are necessary' each fiscal year to fund the PSOB death benefit program while appropriating separate amounts for both the disability and education benefits programs. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum death benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct and proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty or from certain line-of-duty heart attacks, strokes, and vascular ruptures. The PSOB program provides a one-time lump sum disability benefit to public safety officers who have been permanently and totally disabled by a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, if the injury permanently prevents the officer from performing any gainful work. The PSOB program also provides assistance for higher education expenses (e.g., tuition and fees, books, supplies, and room and board) to spouses and children of public safety officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Educational assistance is available to the spouse and children of a public safety officer after the PSOB death or disability claim has been approved and awarded."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2017-01-23
• Arming Teachers as a Response to School Shootings [March 13, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "In the wake of the February 14, 2018, shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, President Trump endorsed a proposal to arm teachers as a way to potentially thwart school shootings. The President's endorsement has generated debate about whether this policy option would make schools safer. Proponents argue that arming educators provides a deterrent effect and that armed teachers could respond to an active shooter quicker than police. Opponents argue that teachers do not want the responsibility of countering active shooters; they raise questions about whether teachers can receive enough training to make them effective in an active shooter situation; and they argue that allowing firearms on school grounds could create other problems, such as police mistaking armed school personnel for assailants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2018-03-13
• Recent Violent Crime Trends in the United States [June 20, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Media accounts of increasing violent crime rates, especially homicides, in some cities raise broad concerns about decreasing levels of public safety. This report provides an analysis of changes in violent crime since 1960, with a focus on changes from 2014 to 2016 in violent crime and homicide rates in the 48 largest cities in the United States for which violent crime and homicide data were submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2018-06-20
• FY2017 Appropriations for the Department of Justice [May 30, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Obama Administration's FY2017 DOJ [Department of Justice] budget request included proposals to increase funding for existing programs and fund new programs that sought to address several issues that rose to national prominence recently, such as concerns about gun violence in cities across the country, the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve, violent extremism and 'home-grown' terrorism, preparing inmates to return to society after incarceration, cybersecurity, and an increase in heroin abuse and overdose-related deaths. The FY2017 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill reported by the Senate Committee on Appropriations (S. 2837) would have provided a total of $29.246 billion for DOJ, while the House committee-reported CJS appropriations bill (H.R. 5393) would have provided a total of $29.437 billion for DOJ. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) appropriates $28.962 billion for DOJ, an amount that is 0.4% less than the FY2016 appropriation and 2.9% less than what the Obama Administration requested. The act includes $2.713 billion for the U.S. Marshals, $9.006 billion for the FBI, $2.103 billion for the DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration], $1.259 billion for the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives], and $7.142 billion for the BOP [Bureau of Prisons]. The remaining funding (approximately $6.793 billion) would be for DOJ's other offices, such as the U.S. Attorneys offices, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Attorney General's office, along with supporting the other functions noted above."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2017-05-30
• FY2017 Appropriations for the Department of Justice Grant Programs [May 30, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Obama Administration's FY2017 request for DOJ's [Department of Justice] grant accounts included proposals to change the funding levels of several DOJ grant programs. First, the Obama Administration proposed to transfer $326 million from the Crime Victims Fund to the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It also proposed to eliminate funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (-$210 million), and reduce funding for other programs, such as the National Criminal History Improvement program (-$23 million), and DNA backlog reduction initiatives (-$20 million). However, the Obama Administration proposed increases for grants to encourage arrests in domestic violence cases and enforcement of protection orders (+$11 million), grants authorized under the Second Chance Act (+$32 million), and programs for children exposed to violence (+$15 million). It also proposed funding a variety of new programs and initiatives, such as the Byrne Incentive Grant program ($10 million), the Byrne Competitive Grant program ($15 million), and the Violence Reduction Network ($5 million). Finally, it proposed restoring funding to the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (+$30 million), which was eliminated in FY2014. Congress provided a total of $2.320 billion for DOJ's five grant accounts, an amount that is 6.7% less than the FY2016 appropriation and 1.8% less than the Administration's request. Funding for three of the five grant accounts decreased for FY2017, the exceptions being Violence Against Women Programs (+$2 million) and the Community Oriented Policing Services (+$10 million). However, the increase in funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services account is largely attributable to Congress moving funding for the Regional Information Sharing System from the Research, Evaluation, and Statistics account to the Community Oriented Policing Services account."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2017-05-30
• FY2018 Appropriations for Department of Justice Grant Programs [July 18, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Each year, Congress provides funding for a variety of grant programs through the Department of Justice (DOJ). These programs are used to fund state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations for a variety of criminal justice-related purposes, such as efforts to combat violence against women, reduce backlogs of DNA evidence, support community policing, assist crime victims, promote prisoner reentry, 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."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2017-07-18
• FY2018 Appropriations for the Department of Justice [October 12, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) appropriated $28.962 billion for DOJ [Department of Justice]. The act provided $2.713 billion for the U.S. Marshals [USMS], $9.006 billion for the FBI, $2.103 billion for the DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration], $1.259 billion for the ATF [ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives], and $7.142 billion for the BOP [Bureau of Prisons]. The remaining funding (approximately $6.739 billion) was for DOJ's other offices, such as the U.S. Attorneys offices, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Attorney General's office. The Trump Administration requests $28.205 billion for DOJ for FY2018. This amount is 2.6% less than the FY2017-enacted appropriation. The Administration proposes reductions for several DOJ accounts, including a $232 million (-2.6%) reduction for the FBI, a $340 million (-26.6%) reduction for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, and a $21 million (-8.3%) reduction for Juvenile Justice Programs. While the Administration's FY2018 budget request includes several reductions for DOJ accounts, it also includes several increases, including an additional $22 million (1.1%) for the Office of the United States Attorneys, an $82 million (5.6%) increase for the USMS's Federal Prisoner Detention account, a $76 million (1.1%) increase for BOP's Salaries and Expenses account, and a $61 million (2.9%) increase for the DEA."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2017-10-12
• Public Trust and Law Enforcement-- A Discussion for Policymakers [Updated December 13, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Several high-profile incidents where the police have apparently used excessive force against citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between the police and the people they serve. This report provides a brief overview of the federal government's role in police-community relations. Public confidence in the police declined in 2014 and 2015 after several high-profile incidents in which men of color were killed during confrontations with the police. Confidence in the police has rebounded in recent years and is now back to the historical average. However, certain groups, such as Hispanics, blacks, people under the age of 35, and individuals with liberal political leanings say they have less confidence in the police than whites, people over the age of 35, and people with conservative political leanings."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Finklea, Kristin; Keegan, Natalie . . .

  2018-12-13
• First Step Act of 2018: An Overview [March 4, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "On December 21, 2018, President Trump signed into law the First Step Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-391). The act was the culmination of several years of congressional debate about what Congress might do to reduce the size of the federal prison population while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety. [...] This report provides an overview of the provisions of the First Step Act. The act has three major components: (1) correctional reform via the establishment of a risk and needs assessment system at BOP [Bureau of Prisons], (2) sentencing reform that involved changes to penalties for some federal offenses, and (3) the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-199). The act also contains a series of other criminal justice-related provisions that include, for example, changes to the way good time credits are calculated for federal prisoners, prohibiting the use of restraints on pregnant inmates, expanding the market for products made by the Federal Prison Industries, and requiring BOP to aid prisoners with obtaining identification before they are released."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2019-03-04
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program [Updated January 30, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program was created by Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322, 'the 1994 Crime Act'). COPS grants are managed by the COPS Office, which was created in 1994 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to oversee the COPS program. The mission of the COPS Office is to advance the practice of community policing through information sharing and grant resources. According to the COPS Office, it awards grants to 'hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2020-01-30
• Department of Justice's Role in Investigating and Prosecuting Hate Crimes [September 17, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "In the aftermath of the shooting at an El Paso, TX, Walmart, where the shooter told authorities that he was targeting 'Mexicans' and an online post attributed to him decried the 'Hispanic invasion of Texas,' the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an investigation into whether the shooting was a hate crime, and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas has stated that federal hate crime charges might be brought against the shooter. This and other similar incidents have raised questions about how the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigates and prosecutes hate crimes."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2019-09-17
• Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program [Updated January 30, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is a Department of Justice (DOJ) formula grant program. The JAG program allocates funds to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, America Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands (collectively referred to as 'states' hereinafter) for a variety of state and local criminal justice initiatives. The program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2020-01-28
• Risk and Needs Assessment in the Federal Prison System [July 10, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The number of people incarcerated in federal prisons increased dramatically over the past three decades. While the number of inmates in the federal prison system has decreased since FY2013, the federal prison population remains substantially larger than it was three decades ago. Concerns about both the economic and social consequences of the country's reliance on incarceration have led to calls for reforms to the nation's criminal justice system, including improving the federal prison system's ability to rehabilitate incarcerated offenders by better assessing their risk for recidivism and addressing their criminogenic needs. 'Criminogenic needs,' are factors that contribute to criminal behavior that can be changed and/or addressed through interventions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan

  2018-07-10
• What Role Might the Federal Government Play in Law Enforcement Reform? [November 16, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Over the past few years, several high-profile police-involved shootings and alleged instances of excessive force have generated congressional interest in state and local policing. After declining in both 2014 and 2015, confidence in law enforcement has rebounded to historical norms, but Gallup poll data indicate that confidence varies by race, ethnicity, ideology (i.e., liberal, moderate, and conservative), and age. Congressional interest in policing revolves around confidence and accountability. What role should Congress play in facilitating efforts to bolster confidence in the police? Should Congress seek to improve law enforcement's accountability regarding the excessive use-of-force?These questions are bounded by limits of congressional authority."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  James, Nathan; Harrington, Ben

  2018-11-16