Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program

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 New Mexico JABG program is focused on reducing juvenile offenders by providing accountability-based programs within the State and local juvenile justice systems. The system of accountability-based is best achieved through a modality of graduated sanctions appropriate to the nature and severity of the offense. First imposing limited interventions and then submitting the individual to more restrictive actions if the offender escalates to more delinquent activities. The State of New Mexico through the accountability-based system of graduated sanctions sets its goal as reducing juvenile offending with system focused approach that promotes accountability. In this accountability system approach the individual is made aware, held responsible for loss, damage and/or injury that a victim may experience. (NCA/NCF)