FY 2009 JABG Grant Application

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 offense, 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 spend all their FY 2009 JABG funding (minus 5% for planning and administration)for purpose area 2 - building, expanding, renovating, or operating temporary or permanent juvenile correction, detention, or community corresctions facilities. Specifically, American Samoa will hire up to two juvenile corrections officers to work in the Juvenile Detention Facility, the island's only secure juvenile corrections facility.
(NCA/NCF)