§10251 General Provisions

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter, says what data should be used to set those meanings, and lets a State or local chief executive name public agencies to run a program or project. Criminal justice — work to prevent, control, or punish crime, like police, courts, corrections, probation, parole, and programs for drug addiction or juvenile delinquency. State — the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; for certain allocations American Samoa gets 67 percent and the Northern Mariana Islands 33 percent. Unit of local government — cities, counties, towns, similar local governments, certain law enforcement or judicial districts that can set budgets and taxes, Indian Tribes that do law enforcement, and for eligibility some DC or federal agencies that do law enforcement in DC or U.S. Trust Territories. Construction — building, buying, renovating, repairing, or expanding facilities and getting initial equipment. Combination — any grouping of States or local governments to plan or run a criminal justice program. Public agency — a State, local government, combination, or any department or agency of them. Correctional facility — a place that confines or helps offenders. Correctional facility project — building or changing a prison or jail to ease overcrowding or poor conditions. Criminal history information — records about arrests, charges, sentences, confinement, rehabilitation, and release kept by law enforcement. Evaluation — studies to see how well a project or program is working. Neighborhood or community-based organizations — groups, including faith groups, that represent a community. Chief executive — the top official of a State or local area. Cost of construction — expenses the Director finds necessary to build a project, including architect and engineer fees, but not land. Population — total resident population based on Census data for the same time. Attorney General — the U.S. Attorney General or their designee. Court of last resort — the State’s highest appellate court, chosen by which one has final authority and usually rulemaking or administrative control. Institution of higher education — a college or university as defined in federal law, with possible Office adjustments. White-collar crime — illegal acts done by clever or secret means to get money, property, or advantage. Proven effectiveness — shown by results to make a real difference on the problem. Record of proven success — shown by evaluation or performance data to work in multiple places or over time. High probability of improving the criminal justice system — a careful look shows the idea should likely lead to clear improvements. Correctional option — community-based or other nontraditional punishments like weekend incarceration, boot camps, electronic monitoring, or intensive probation. Boot camp prison — a highly controlled program with discipline, physical training, hard work, and rehab plus education and job training. Young offender — a nonviolent first-time or minor-record offender who is 22 years of age or younger, including juveniles. Residential substance abuse treatment program — a 6 to 12 month residential course focused on the prisoner’s substance abuse and on building skills to solve related problems. Indian Tribe — has the meaning given in title 25. Private person — any individual or private business or group. Hearing examiner — includes medical or claims examiners. De-escalation — actions or words to calm a possible force encounter so more time and options are available and less force is needed. Mental or behavioral health or suicidal crisis — when a person’s behavior risks harm to themselves or others or prevents them from caring for themselves or working in the community, and can include being under drugs or alcohol, suicidal thoughts, mental illness symptoms, strong emotions, confusion, or freeze/fight/flight reactions. Disability — has the meaning in title 42, section 12102. Crisis intervention team — a team of specially trained law enforcement, mental health providers, and community partners who respond to mental health calls, use de-escalation, and decide if referral or transport for mental health evaluation is needed. Covered mental health professional — a mental health worker on a crisis intervention team who is either an employee of a law enforcement agency or works under a legal agreement with one. Definitions should use the most recent Census and OMB data available 90 days before a fiscal year starts, and the Office may change terms to reflect technical updates. A State or local chief executive may name one or more public agencies to run a program or project in whole or in part.