Number: RL33111
Title: Department of Justice Reauthorization: Provisions to Improve Program Management, Compliance, and Evaluation of Justice Assistance Grants
Authors: Nathan James, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: At issue for Congress is whether there needs to be an independent office that has oversight authority over OJP's grant programs and the degree to which that office would enhance or duplicate the efforts that are currently being performed by OJP's grant managers, the National Institute of Justice and the OIG. Additionally, should a stand-alone office be responsible for providing state, local, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations with training on OJP and other DOJ grant programs compliance? And would such an office be duplicative of other functions already existing within DOJ? This report opens with a description of the current makeup of OJP. It then discusses some of the issues facing OJP that have been identified by GAO and the OIG that have led to the current congressional proposal to restructure the Office. A description of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 is discussed and analyzed within the context of restructuring OJP. This report, however, does not discuss the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provisions. The report concludes with a discussion of possible issues and questions that could be raised with respect to the act's restructuring OJP.
Pages: 12
Date: January 10, 2006