FY 2010 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant

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 offenses, 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 Wyoming's juvenile justice reform effort has made substantial progress over the last year. There is a lot of emphasis on juvenile justice in Wyoming, partially because of the state's non-compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002. Wyoming lacks resources to provide and maintain adequate detention centers and 48 hour holds for juveniles. There is also a lack of resources in communities to keep youth in their home, rather than placing them in correctional and detention facilities. Not only do we have to deal with overcrowding and unsafe conditions in detention centers, but we are trying to emphasize the incentive to keep youth out of placement and provide the needed intervention and treatment in their home communities. JABG funding will be sub-granted to units of local government and non-profit organizations to continue our state's efforts in strengthening the juvenile justice system. Awards will be used for the funding of community programs to provide services to youth and their families as an alternative to detention and out of home placements. This funding will also be directed toward maintaining adequate juvenile detention facilities.
(NCA/NCF)