Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
The Consortium for Crime and Justice Research (CCJR) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha was tasked by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to facilitate the development of a three-year strategic plan for the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) funds. The Crime Commission serves as the State Administering Agency that is responsible for funding projects that fit into one or more of the seven JAG purpose areas: law enforcement programs; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; prevention and education programs; drug treatment and enforcement programs; corrections and community corrections programs; prosecution and court programs; and crime victim and witness programs. The JAG stakeholder committee included representatives of various Nebraska criminal justice programs, as well as community organizational leaders. A first task of the stakeholder committee was to identify overarching themes for the use of JAG funds and to identify specific funding needs. CCJR compiled data on crime and criminal justice trends in Nebraska and from previous JAG-funded initiatives. This research was presented to the stakeholders to assist their decision-making. CCJR also undertook a priority analysis to determine stakeholder members’ top priorities for the use of JAG funds. Some of the components of this priority analysis included a survey asking members to rank the seven JAG purpose areas and to rate the stakeholder-identified funding priorities. This survey indicated that the highest priorities for JAG funding in Nebraska were the “law enforcement” and “planning, evaluation, and technology” purpose areas. Some of the top-rated funding priorities included “the enhancement of data collection and sharing across state agencies” and “enhancing community coordination efforts” in fighting delinquency, crime, drug-use, and gangs. Interviews of stakeholders were also conducted by CCJR staff. These interviews indicated that, of the federal priorities, “evidence-based programs/practices” had the highest support among interviewed stakeholders. Perhaps the most important task conducted by CCJR and the JAG stakeholder committee was the identification of existing resources, gaps in existing resources, and needed resources for funding areas identified as high priorities. The results of this “resource needs” analysis figure prominently in this strategic plan.
Recommended Citation
Spohn, Ryan E.; Gray, Melissa; Behm, Mike; Stamm, Lisa; and Consortium for Crime and Justice Research, University of Nebraska at Omaha, "Nebraska Strategic Plan 2012-2015" (2011). Reports. 59.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ncjrreports/59
Comments
This report includes the statewide criminal justice strategic plan for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant (JAG) funding.