Bureau of Justice Assistance

Description

Approximately 2.2 million people were incarcerated in federal, state, and local prisons and jails in 2012, a rate of 1 out of every 108 adults. The population declined for the fourth consecutive year, yet many state prison populations remain near all-time high levels. And despite the decline in population, state spending on corrections has remained high. Over the last 25 years, state corrections expenditures have increased exponentially—from $12 billion in 1988 to more than $53 billion estimated in 2013.2 Justice reinvestment emerged as a way to address these issues through a targeted, data-driven policymaking process. BJA, in a public/private partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, launched the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) in 2010 as a multistaged process in which a jurisdiction increases the cost-effectiveness of its criminal justice system and reinvests savings into high-performing public safety strategies. Under the JRI model, a governmental working group with bipartisan and interbranch representation analyzes the correctional population and its costs, develops cost-effective policy options, and implements reforms to manage correctional populations while enhancing public safety. JRI jurisdictions reinvest these cost savings into high-performing initiatives that make communities safer. In addition to reducing prison populations, justice reinvestment encourages states to embrace a culture of greater collaboration, data-driven decisionmaking, and increased use of evidence-based practices.

Who can apply

• State governments
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Others

Contact

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, or via e-mail to support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays.
support@grants.gov