The Office helps draft legislation, policies, plans, programs, and budgets to improve public safety and the administration of justice and reduce and prevent crime, violence, delinquency, and substance abuse.
For nonprofit community groups and local and State government agencies, the Office administers State grant programs, including the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program (also known as Neighborhood Crime Prevention Grants); and the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund. The Office also oversees several federal grant programs, including the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program; the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program; the Violence Against Women Program; the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund; and the Governor's portion of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program.
The Office also administers the Maryland Police Corps, a federal college scholarship program enacted in 1996. Maryland is one of six states chosen by the U.S. Department of Justice to recruit and train college graduates to serve four years as community police officers. Maryland Police Corps officers presently serve in Baltimore City.
Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director serves on the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board and the State Board of Victim Services.
Under the Office of Crime Control and Prevention are six programs: Delinquency Prevention; Hotspot Communities; Juvenile Justice; Law Enforcement and Domestic Violence; and the Violence Against Women Act Program.
DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM
HOTSPOT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM
The Council advises the Governor and State agencies on the juvenile justice system and prevention of juvenile delinquency. The Council is also the designated State agency to receive formula grant funds under provisions of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-415), as amended by the Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1992 (P.L. 102-586). In accordance with the federal act, the Council develops an annual plan, establishes grant procedures, and awards grants to State and local government agencies for projects that support juvenile justice and prevent delinquency.
The Council consists of from fifteen to thirty-three members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. The Governor names the chair.
LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE MARYLAND
VICTIM SERVICES & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM
The Board advises the Governor on services needed by victims of crime. The Board also reviews the plans and annual reports of the Victim Services Coordinator as well as the implementation, operation, and revision of programs by the Coordinator.
The Board has seventeen members. The Governor appoints nine members who serve five-year terms. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals names a member of the Judiciary to a five-year term. Five members serve ex officio. The Governor or Governor's designee serves as chair. The Victim Services Coordinator is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1701 through 9-1708).
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAM
To prevent or reduce delinquency, the Delinquency Prevention Program administers funding and provides technical support to programs and activities, especially after-school programs. Such programs offer high-risk youth alternatives to crime and addiction.
Initiated in July 1997, the HotSpot Communities Program is a three-year program. It targets resources to 35 communities with high levels of crime. Funds support increasing the number of police officers, probation agents, nuisance abatement teams, and citizen patrols, as well as after-school activities. By concentrating resources in these areas, the State hopes to reduce serious crime by 25 to 35 percent over a three-year period.
The Juvenile Justice Program administers funding and provides technical support to carry out State, local and private nonprofit programs. These programs seek to treat serious and chronic juvenile offenders, improve the juvenile justice system, and prevent delinquency.
JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Council was formed in 1984 as an independent unit within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Executive Order 01.01.1984.08). In 1987, the Council was placed under the Juvenile Services Agency (Executive Order 01.01.1987.21). The Council became part of the Governor's Office in 1988 (Executive Order 01.01.1988.01). As a subcommittee of the Governor's Advisory Board for Justice Administration, the Council was reformed in 1992 (Executive Order 01.01.1992.02). In 1995, the Council was made part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Executive Order 01.01.1995.18).
The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program administers funding and provides technical support to programs for law enforcement and the prosecution and adjudication of offenders. To improve the criminal justice system, the Program assists projects, such as community policing and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Support may include the use of electronic and other technology. In addition, the Program seeks effective means of coping with drug addiction and mental illness in the criminal justice system.
Initiated in May 1991, Partnership for a Drug-Free Maryland is an alliance of Maryland government with private media and advertising professionals to discourage abuse of narcotics and alcohol. Coordinated by the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Partnership conducts an aggressive, statewide multimedia campaign against substance abuse. Since 1991, the campaign has provided over $10 million in free advertising for this purpose.
The Victim Services and Domestic Violence Program administers funding and provides technical support for efforts to assist victims of crime and those who suffer from domestic and family violence.
STATE BOARD OF VICTIM SERVICES
The State Board of Victim Services was created within the Office of the Attorney General in 1988 (Chapter 256, Acts of 1988). Reorganized in 1992, the Board was transferred to the Office of Justice Administration (Chapter 270, Acts of 1992). In 1995, the Board became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Executive Order 01.01.1995.18)
The Violence Against Women Act Program was created under the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). By this act, states administer funds to combat crimes of violence against women and improve legal protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Under the Program, law enforcement officers and state's attorneys are trained to respond effectively to violent crimes against women. Coordinated community responses to domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault are supported. In addition, the Program provides a uniform data collection system to track offenses and standardizes the processing of legal cases involving domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.
PLANNING & STRATEGY COMMITTEE
The Planning and Strategy Committee was organized to develop an implementation plan for the State. The plan indicates what kinds of programs and projects merit financial support. Committee members represent government as well as nonprofit, private-sector programs for victims.Governor's Coordinating Offices
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Manual On-Line