Criminal Justice
Unit Overview
CJCC’s Criminal Justice Unit is dedicated to improving criminal justice programs across the state and administers numerous state and federal grant programs to this end. These grant programs include both formula and competitive funding targeted at enforcement, rehabilitation, technology improvement, and professional workforce training for law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, corrections, and others.
In addition to its responsibilities as a grant manager, the Criminal Justice Unit is responsible for acting as a coordinator, facilitator, and technical assistance provider. In its coordinating capacity, the unit has worked with both state and local agencies to strengthen grant proposals and develop cohesive strategies to address criminal justice issues across the state. Recent initiatives have included 1) creating effective community interventions to reduce use of jail for juveniles and young adults who may need alternative services or may have behavioral health needs; 2) the expansion of accountability court services through court personnel training, hiring to expand services and model programming implementation; 3) the implementation of a pilot body worn cameras initiative within secure detention setting; and 4) implementing Project Safe Neighborhoods throughout the state, which designed to create and foster safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crime.
Unit Goals
CJCC’s Criminal Justice Unit is currently prioritizing the following objectives:
- Secure continued funding aimed at improving treatment, recidivism, and crime reduction outcomes;
- Streamline and strengthen processes for access to resources for local criminal justice efforts; and
- Improve communication and coordination among criminal justice stakeholders regarding the development of and support for state-specific strategies.
For more information, please contact Criminal Justice Program Director Mia Smith at [email protected].
Programs
The Criminal Justice Unit oversees several state and federal programs, including the Adult Treatment Court Discretionary Grant, Bulletproof Vest Partnership, Byrne Discretionary Grants, Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant, and Substance Use Program, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, Edward Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, Family Treatment Court Grant, Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Local Law Enforcement Training Grant, and several others. For information regarding current and past funding opportunities, please visit Funding Opportunities | Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (georgia.gov)