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 Maryland After-School Community Grant Program; the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program (also known as Neighborhood Crime Prevention Grants); the Maryland Drug and Alcohol Grants Program Fund; 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 Accountability Incentive Block Grant Program; the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program; the Violence Against Women Program; the Violent Offenders Incarceration and Truth-In-Sentencing Program;; and the Governor's portion of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free Maryland is coordinated by the Office. Initiated in May 1991, the Partnership is an alliance of Maryland government with private media and advertising professionals to discourage abuse of narcotics and alcohol. With pro bono air time and committed print space, the Partnership conducts an aggressive, statewide multimedia campaign against substance abuse.
The Office also administers the Maryland Police Corps, a federal college scholarship program enacted in 1996. Maryland was one of the first 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 the police departments of Baltimore City, Hagerstown, and Anne Arundel, Howard, and Prince George's counties.
Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director serves on the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board and the State Board of Victim Services.
The Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention funds programs. These programs support the Maryland Crime Control and Prevention Strategy. That strategy is designed to: 1) prevent youth violence, drug use, and gangs; 2) protect and support victims; 3) reclaim at-risk neighborhoods; and 4) target high-risk offenders.
The Council advises the Governor and State agencies on the juvenile justice system and prevention of juvenile delinquency. The Council also is 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.
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.
Twenty-two members compose the Board. Sixteen are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor. 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 (Code Art. 27, secs. 837-857).
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAM
To prevent or reduce delinquency, the 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.
LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
The 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.
JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Council 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 reformed in 1992 (Executive Order 01.01.1992.02). In 1995, the Council transferred to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Executive Order 01.01.1995.18).
PROTECT & SUPPORT VICTIMS
VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM
The Victim Services Program began in 1988, later became the Victim Services and Domestic Violence Program, and adopted its present name in 1999. The Program administers funding and provides technical support for efforts to assist victims of crime and those who suffer domestic and family violence. The Victim Services Coordinator is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
STATE BOARD OF VICTIM SERVICES
In 1988, the State Board of Victim Services was created within the Office of the Attorney General (Chapter 256, Acts of 1988). Reorganized in 1992, the Board 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 authorized 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, court commissioners, "911" operators, judges, 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
Since 1995, the Planning and Strategy Committee determines what programs and projects to support with federal funds. To develop priorities for funding, the Committee receives recommendations from the Family Violence Council. Committee members represent government as well as nonprofit, private-sector programs for victims.RECLAIM AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS
HOTSPOT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
Initiated in July 1997, the HotSpot Communities Program started as a three-year program. It targeted resources to 36 communities with high levels of crime. Funds support more 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. In 1999, the Program was expanded to 26 more neighborhoods.
TARGET HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS
DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Delinquency Prevention Program began by 1989 as the Prevention Program in the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Commission. The Program moved to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 1995 and received its current name in 1997.
The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program stems from the Law Enforcement Program of the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Commission. That program became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 1995 and received its current name in 1997.
Governor's Coordinating Offices
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Maryland at a Glance
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us