2010 CNMI 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 Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) will continue funding its Juvenile Justice Task Force as well as other youth service providers and law enforcement agencies involved in the Juvenile Justice System in Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Funding will be used for the following JABG program areas: (2) building, expanding, renovating or operating juvenile detention or correctional facilities; (3) hiring court-appointed defenders and pretrial services; (5) to enable prosecutors to address drug, gang, and youth violence problems more effectively and for technology, equipment, and training to help prosecutors identify and expedite the prosecution of violent and juvenile offenders; (9) establishing and maintaining a system of juvenile records designed to promote public safety; (10) establishing and maintaining interagency information sharing programs; (15) establishing and maintaining programs to enable juvenile courts and juvenile probation officers to be more effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders accountable and reducing recidivism. (NCA/NCF)