FY 2010 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant 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.

American Samoa will use all its JABG monies, minus planning and administration, on Purpose Area 2 - Building, Expanding, Renovating or Operating temporary or permanent juvenile correction, detention or community corrections facilities. American Samoa has one juvenile detention facility that is operated by the Department of Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety also operated the Tufana Adult Correctional Facility. This agency often lacks sufficient funds to provide proper maintenance and operations of the Juvenile Detention Facility. These funds will also be targeted for establishing programs and services for the juvenile population, as well as hire staff to assist with manpower issues currently affecting this facility.
(NCA/NCF)