Smart Prosecution Initiative

 

Goals: The goal of Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) Initiative is to develop a body of knowledge about data-driven strategies?innovative, best practice, or evidenced-based?as they are implemented by prosecutors. BJA sought applications from state, local, or tribal prosecutor agencies interested in testing data-driven approaches that address one or more of the following three goals: ? Promoting fair, impartial, and expeditious pursuit of justice; ? Ensuring safe communities; ? Promoting integrity in the prosecution profession and effective coordination in the criminal justice system; ? Test, establish, and/or expand innovative new ideas and evidence-based programming in the office to increase prosecutors? ability to effectively and sustainably prevent and respond to crime, especially violent crime; ? Establish sustainable research partnerships that are integrated into the strategic and tactical operations of agencies; ? Foster effective, formalized, and consistent collaborations with external agencies, and with the communities in which they serve, to increase public safety; ? Use technology, intelligence, and data in innovative ways that enable the office to focus resources on the people and places associated with high concentrations of criminal behavior and crime; and ? Advance the state of the prosecution practice for the benefit of the entire field through dissemination of promising practices and evaluation findings. Objectives: The IPS initiative seeks to encourage exploration of new solutions to public safety concerns, as well as address internal operations and organizational structure of prosecutor?s offices. The program is intended to support prosecutors as leaders among their criminal justice partners and develop criminal justice strategies focused on reducing violent crime. Below are some creative solutions implemented by prosecutors around the country that centered on issue areas that assist with the prioritization of cases as well as: ? Developing ways to identify the most violent repeat offenders; ? Developing mechanisms to prosecute individuals who are responsible for opioid related deaths or the sale of drugs leading to overdoses; ? Using data to develop zone/geographic prosecution; ? Using crime analysis tools, through strategies like GunStat, to track violence involving the criminal use of a firearm; ? Developing policies to prosecute witness intimidation cases; ? Working jointly with parole and probation departments on violations of probation; ? Enhancing the prosecutor?s role in investigations of homicide cases and cybercrime strategies to improve public safety; and ? Working jointly with police and the United States Attorney to develop formal process to prioritize cases for the most appropriate venue for prosecution. There are several core elements must be in place to support a successful IPS Initiative. These include strong executive support for the project within the prosecutor?s office; sophisticated problem and data analysis efforts; and a commitment to making organizational and operational changes to sustain the strategies found to be successful, as measured by the project?s evaluation. Under the IPS Initiative, prosecutors are also strongly encouraged to partner with a researcher, and to establish innovative and effective working relationships with citizens and community leaders to gain support for the prosecutors? proposed initiatives. Agencies are also expected to leverage data from other criminal justice entities?such as parole, probation, corrections, the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies?to aid in their activities. As prosecutors implement innovative, best practices or evidenced-based approaches to address the goals listed below, there is a need to evaluate their efforts. The IPS Initiative seeks to encourage exploration of new solutions to public safety concerns, as well as internal operations and organizational structure, while employing research partners at the problem definition stage through assessment of strategies and solutions.

Active 16.825 Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Kings County District Attorney’s Office (Brooklyn) PROJECT: The Brooklyn Young Adult Justice Initiative As of June 23, the site reports 1,781 open cases pending in the Adolescent Diversion Court, which offers diversion instead of prosecution for young adults, 16-24 years old, charged with misdemeanor offenses, who are at the greatest risk for re-offending and/or are facing more serious criminal consequences. Two Assistant District Attorneys joined the Bureau since June, bringing the total number of prosecutors in the unit up to five. San Diego City Attorney’s Office PROJECT: The Community Justice Initiative (CJI) CJI uses data and evidence-based practices to restore justice and increase effectiveness and efficiency through a post-plea, city-wide diversion initiative to provide accountability, early intervention, and swift consequences for participants charged with eligible misdemeanor offenses. As of June 30, the site reports that: 3,943 offers made; 2,650 offers accepted; 1,293 offers rejected; 2,048 offers completed; and 423 participants failed out of the program. These numbers reflect enrollment since November 2016. The site has also completed 224 CJI Proxy Risk Screenings and 61 CJI assessments. The site received its software platform/kiosk for client screening. The kiosks will electronically administer the proxy screen to determine high, medium, or low risk scores for program participants (a case manager previously conducted the risk assessment). The site is working with the courthouse for installation, and expects the kiosks to be up and running by September. The site is also building new software for the kiosks. District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General PROJECT: Using Our Brains: Reducing Recidivism among Youth and Young Adults The site is furthering collaboration with the DC US Attorney’s Office (USAO). Both offices plan to develop a diversion-based initiative, using restorative justice, for youth (ages 12-17) and young adults (ages 18-24) who commit certain crimes, such as theft, destruction of property and non-injury simple assault cases with victim consent. The team is evaluating USAO data for program development. The site hired a restorative justice coordinator and two facilitators who will staff their restorative justice panels. The site team, partners, and office staff will receive ongoing support and assistance for program implementation and restorative justice training from the Baltimore Community Conferencing Center. Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (Kansas City) PROJECT: Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office Smart Prosecution Initiative The site’s geographic-based initiative targets the “East Zone,” the most violent area within Kansas City. Team members will collaborate with law enforcement, community partnership specialists, and community members to assess crime-related problems in the East Zone and implement strategies to address them. A system for hot spot cases has been developed. The site has access to “sophisticated mapping software.” The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (Newark) PROJECT: Essex County SMART Social Media Initiative A specialized unit has been developed to investigate and prosecute cases based on suspects’ usage of social media. The site envisions a systematic, proactive approach to social-media mining that will reduce crime, empower victims, promote fair and impartial justice, and instill the public’s confidence in criminal justice. Since the beginning of the initiative, the team has experienced successful identification hearings where witnesses and victims identify defendants without law enforcement involvement. The site continues to educate the judges about this process. The site continues screening about 3-6 potential cases per week, and reports that most cases have social media connections, due to witnesses initially identifying defendants through social media. Since June, the site has 19 confirmed cases in the treatment group, and another 50 tentative cases. District Attorney of Chatham County (Savannah) PROJECT: The Chatham County Smart Prosecution Program The initiative aims to reduce gun, local group, and gang violence by focusing on: identifying and targeting a geographic hot spot for gun violence in the Savannah area and most violent offenders within it; tracking and prioritizing prosecution and individuals within the hot spot; diverting non-essential cases (e.g., theft and simple drug possession) to alternative programs; and, engaging with community groups within the hot spot through meetings, social media forums, and other outreach strategies. As of June 26, there are 19 active cases in the target zone area, including both new charges and probation violations. Total cases – including active and disposed cases – have reached 30. The site’s goal is to reach 50 active cases soon. The site continues its work with engaging community members, by attending neighborhood association meetings. The program “End Violence Now” is now housed under the District Attorney’s office; this move will promote community engagement and allow team members to work directly with the Youth Intercept Program. The site’s researchers at Georgia Southern University are developing a process evaluation tool. The researchers are also creating one-page briefs on certain topics (such as policing hot spots) that can be quickly digested and used by practitioners. The researchers are currently focusing on social network analysis and spatial analysis, and have recently received data from the Savannah Area Regional Intelligence Center.
Fiscal Year 2018 Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office PROJECT: Pre-trial Risk Assessment The Baltimore City State’s Attorney developed an evidenced based pre-trial risk assessment tool to determine risk levels of individuals arrested to better inform their bail recommendations and identify individuals of highest risk. San Diego City Attorney’s Office PROJECT: The Community Justice Initiative (CJI) CJI uses data and evidence-based practices to restore justice and increase effectiveness and efficiency through a post-plea, city-wide diversion initiative to provide accountability, early intervention, and swift consequences for participants charged with eligible misdemeanor offenses. The site received its software platform/kiosk for client screening. The kiosks will electronically administer the proxy screen to determine high, medium, or low risk scores for program participants (a case manager previously conducted the risk assessment). The site is working with the courthouse for installation, and expects the kiosks to be up and running by September. The site is also building new software for the kiosks. District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General PROJECT: Using Our Brains: Reducing Recidivism among Youth and Young Adults The site is furthering collaboration with the DC US Attorney’s Office (USAO). Both offices plan to develop a diversion-based initiative, using restorative justice, for youth (ages 12-17) and young adults (ages 18-24) who commit certain crimes, such as theft, destruction of property and non-injury simple assault cases with victim consent. The team is evaluating USAO data for program development. The site hired a restorative justice coordinator and two facilitators who will staff their restorative justice panels. The site team, partners, and office staff will receive ongoing support and assistance for program implementation and restorative justice training from the Baltimore Community Conferencing Center. Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (Kansas City) PROJECT: Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office Smart Prosecution Initiative The site’s geographic-based initiative targets the “East Zone,” the most violent area within Kansas City. Team members will collaborate with law enforcement, community partnership specialists, and community members to assess crime-related problems in the East Zone and implement strategies to address them. A system for hot spot cases has been developed. The site has access to “sophisticated mapping software.” The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (Newark) PROJECT: Essex County SMART Social Media Initiative A specialized unit has been developed to investigate and prosecute cases based on suspects’ usage of social media. The site envisions a systematic, proactive approach to social-media mining that will reduce crime, empower victims, promote fair and impartial justice, and instill the public’s confidence in criminal justice. Since the beginning of the initiative, the team has experienced successful identification hearings where witnesses and victims identify defendants without law enforcement involvement. The site continues to educate the judges about this process. The site continues screening about 3-6 potential cases per week, and reports that most cases have social media connections, due to witnesses initially identifying defendants through social media. District Attorney of Chatham County (Savannah) PROJECT: The Chatham County Smart Prosecution Program The initiative aims to reduce gun, local group, and gang violence by focusing on: identifying and targeting a geographic hot spot for gun violence in the Savannah area and most violent offenders within it; tracking and prioritizing prosecution and individuals within the hot spot; diverting non-essential cases (e.g., theft and simple drug possession) to alternative programs; and, engaging with community groups within the hot spot through meetings, social media forums, and other outreach strategies. The site continues its work with engaging community members, by attending neighborhood association meetings. The program “End Violence Now” is now housed under the District Attorney’s office; this move will promote community engagement and allow team members to work directly with the Youth Intercept Program. The site’s researchers at Georgia Southern University are developing a process evaluation tool. The researchers are also creating one-page briefs on certain topics (such as policing hot spots) that can be quickly digested and used by practitioners. The researchers are currently focusing on social network analysis and spatial analysis, and have recently received data from the Savannah Area Regional Intelligence Center. $8,000,000 is for an initiative to enhance prosecutorial decision-making., Title The Appropriations Act, 2019, Public Law 116-6, Statute 133,13, 112 Site-based-- Eligible applicants are limited to state, local, and tribal prosecutor agencies or a government agency acting as fiscal agent for the applicant. TTA-- Eligible applicants are limited to for-profit (commercial) organizations, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher learning that support national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. For-profit organizations must agree to waive any profit or fees for services. N/A The application must include: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424); Program Abstract; Program Narrative; Budget and Budget Narrative. Preapplication coordination is required. The application of E.O. 12372 is contingent upon whether the State has designated an entity to coordinate and review proposed federal financial assistance. An applicant may find the names and addresses of State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) at the following website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants must submit completed applications via the Office of Justice Programs, Grants Management System or through grants.gov following established criteria. The receipt, review, and analysis of applications will follow Office of Justice Programs policies and procedures for the administration of grant applications. Specific application instructions for solicitations are available at the Office of Justice Programs web site https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm. Upon approval by the Assistant Attorney General, successful applicants are notified via the Grants Management System. One copy of the grant award must be signed by the authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 90 to 120 days. From 90 to 120 days. There are no appeal rights for rejection of a discretionary application. Please see section 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 18. A grant may be supplemented. Criteria are described in the OJP Program Announcement available at http://www.ojp.gov/funding/solicitations.htm. Funding is for site-based awards and training and technical assistance (TTA). Funds maybe used to test data-driven strategies—innovative, best practice, or evidenced-based—as they are implemented by prosecutors. Smart Prosecution applicants will identify a problem to be addressed and enlist a local research partner to help assess the effectiveness of their Smart Prosecution effort. Performance Reports: To assist in fulfilling the Departments responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–352, recipients must provide data that measures the results of their work. Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the Government Accountability Office, Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control. In accordance with the requirement set forth in 2 CFR 200, Subpart F, grantees must maintain all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award for at least 3 years following the close of the most recent audit. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance is drawn down according to a timeline submitted by grantee. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/release: Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide (https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm) and Post Award Instructions (https://ojp.gov/funding/Implement/Resources/PostAwardInstructions.pdf). None/Not specified. Tammy M. Brown
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531 US
AskBJA@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-353-5285 or 1-866-859-2687 http://www.bja.gov 15-0404-0-1-754 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 18$2,256,584.00; FY 19 est $8,000,000.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$2,258,302.00; FY 16$2,211,852.00; - See the current fiscal year's solicitation guidelines posted on the Office of Justice Programs web site at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm. Solicitation guidelines are posted on the Office of Justice Programs web site at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm . For additional guidance reference the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide (https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm) and Post award Instructions (https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/index.htm). Applicable administrative requirements and Department of Justice regulations applicable to specific types of grantees can be found in title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 C.F.R.). Fiscal Year 2017 Adolescent Diversion Court which offers diversion instead of prosecution for young adults, 16-24 years old, charged with misdemeanor offenses, who are at the greatest risk for re-offending and/or are facing more serious Criminal consequences.
Fiscal Year 2018 A project that developed a Social Media Initiative that has created a specialized unit to investigate and prosecute cases based on suspects’ usage of social media.
Fiscal Year 2019 A project to reduce opioid deaths and related violent crime through swift and thorough investigations of opioid induced homicides; improved information sharing to identify and prosecute drug dealers; and improve community relates to enhance their involvement to help solve cases.
Fiscal Year 2020 A project to reduce opioid deaths and related violent crime through swift and thorough investigations of opioid induced homicides; improved information sharing to identify and prosecute drug dealers; and improve community relates to enhance their involvement to help solve cases.