FY 2009 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Project

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 376ee). The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that States and Territories are addressing the specified program purpose areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP. JABG funds are allocated to States and Territories based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of graduated sanctions that are proportionate to the offense, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency, and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities.

The State of Massachusetts submitted a request for a waiver of the local distribution requirement and adequately demonstrated that the State is responsible for 100 percent of the burden for administration of juvenile justice. At the state level, Massachusetts will focus solely on purpose area (2) - Building, expanding, renovating or operating temporary or permanent juvenile corrections or detention facilities, including training of personnel. Specifically, JABG funds will support the operation of regional Alternative Lockup Program sites. These sites maintain the Commonwealth's compliance with the Jail Removal core requirement of the JJDP Act by providing temporary juvenile holding facilities for juveniles after they have been arrested and prior to their initial court appearance.(NCA/NCF)