this authorization, Congress appropriates funds to BJA for awards to the States to implement violent crime control and illegal drug reduction strategies. Other BJA discretionary awards are made for innovative programs such as Tribal Strategies Against Violence, Firearms Trafficking, and a Comprehensive Homicide Initiative. Earmarked funds are used for special programs such as Operation Weed and Seed, National Crime Prevention Council Campaigns (McGruff, The Crime Dog), and Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The Bureau also administers line-item appropriations for national programs such as the Regional Information Sharing System Program and the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program.

The Bureau expects, measures, and reports results in the following broad areas of award investment: comprehensive programs, crime prevention, law enforcement, adjudication, corrections/options, evaluation, systems improvement, and information dissemination.

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) The Bureau is responsible for collecting, analyzing, publishing, and disseminating statistical information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government and internationally. The Bureau provides data which is critical to Federal, State, and local policymakers in combating crime and ensuring that justice is both efficient and evenhanded. The Bureau also assists State governments in developing capabilities in criminal justice statistics and improving the quality of criminal justice records and information systems.

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is the second largest ongoing household survey undertaken by the Federal Government, and is the only national forum for victims to

systematically describe how crime affects them and the characteristics of those who committed the crime against them. During a collection year, a nationally representative sample of more than 100,000 persons residing in about 49,000 households is interviewed by representatives of the Bureau of the

Census in order to obtain data on the impact, frequency, and consequences of criminal victimization in the United States.

Other statistical series cover populations under correctional supervision, Federal criminal offenders and case processing, criminal justice expenditures and employment, felony convictions, pretrial release practices, characteristics of correctional populations, prosecutorial practices and policies, profile of civil cases, and the administration of law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities.

The Bureau maintains more than two dozen major data collection series and publishes a wide variety of reports annually which receive nationwide distribution.

The Bureau supports a statistical component in the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. The Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse provides reference services for people requesting information, maintains a mailing list, and distributes Bureau publications.

The Bureau also manages the Drugs and Crime Clearinghouse, funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which disseminates BJA, ONDCP, and other drug-related crime documents; serves as the sole repository with public access for the BJA State Drug Control Strategies and the individual U.S. attorneys' reports; produces national directories of State and local drug-related agencies, topical fact sheets,

bibliographies, and other special reports; maintains a library and database; and responds to telephone, mail, and electronic requests for information.

For further information, contact the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Phone, 800-732-3277 (toll-free). Internet, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) The Institute sponsors research and development programs designed to improve and strengthen the criminal justice system and reduce or prevent crime. It also conducts national demonstration projects that employ innovative or promising approaches for improving criminal justice, and develops

new technologies to fight crime and improve criminal justice.

The Institute conducts evaluations to determine the effectiveness of criminal justice programs, particularly programs funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Crime Act Program offices within the Office of Justice Programs and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, and identifies programs that promise to be successful if continued or replicated in other jurisdictions. For example, it has evaluated the effectiveness of innovative drug control programs, including community-oriented policing, community antidrug initiatives, Weed and Seed multijurisdictional task forces, and drug testing programs.

The Institute's evaluations of new approaches for holding offenders accountable for their crimes has provided invaluable information regarding such programs as drug courts, bootcamps, youth challenge camps, intensive community supervision, specialized probation, and prison workrelease programs. The corrections information exchange system at NIJ assists State and local officials in exchanging information on innovative and cost-effective concepts and techniques for planning, financing, and constructing new prisons and jails.

In addition, NIJ works to fulfill the information needs of the criminal justice system by publishing and disseminating reports and other materials from its research, demonstration, evaluation, and other programs; provides training and technical assistance to justice officials on innovations developed through its programs; and serves as the national and international clearinghouse of justice information for Federal, State, and local governments.

For further information, contact the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Phone, 1-800851-3420.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention The Office was created by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5601) in response to national concern about juvenile crime. It is the

primary Federal agency for addressing juvenile crime and delinquency and the problem of missing and exploited children. The Office is comprised of five divisions.

The State Relations and Assistance Division oversees the Formula Grants Program. States can receive formula grants to help implement delinquency prevention, control, and system improvement programs, including the core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. These core requirements include

deinstitutionalizing status offenders, separating juveniles from adult offenders in institutions, removing juveniles from adult jails and lockups, and addressing the disproportionate confinement of minority youth. Technical assistance is provided to States and communities to enhance their programs. The Division also administers the Title V Prevention Incentive Grants Program and the State Challenge Grants Program.

The Special Emphasis Division provides funds directly to public and private nonprofit agencies and individuals to foster new approaches to delinquency prevention and control and the improvement of the juvenile justice system. The Division focuses on such areas as serious, violent, and chronic juvenile offenders; gangs; at-risk female juvenile offenders; and school dropouts. The Research and Program

Development Division sponsors research and studies about national trends in juvenile delinquency and drug use, serious juvenile crime, the causes of delinquency, prevention strategies, program evaluation, and improvement of the juvenile justice system. It is also responsible for program evaluation, statistics, and demonstration programs.

The Training and Technical Assistance Division funds training for juvenile justice practitioners, policymakers, and organizations and provides technical assistance in planning, funding, establishing, operating, and evaluating juvenile delinquency programs. In addition, the Division administers juvenile court and prosecutor training, court-appointed special advocates, and children's advocacy center programs

under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13001).

The Information Dissemination Unit conducts a wide variety of information dissemination activities for the Office in support of its statutory mandate to serve as a clearinghouse and information center for the preparation, publication, and dissemination of information on juvenile delinquency and missing children. The Unit also monitors the operations of the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse, which collects, stores, and disseminates the Office's and other juvenile justice-related publications. The toll-free telephone number is 1-800638-8736.

Programs The Concentration of Federal Efforts Program and the Missing Children's Program are also under the Office's direction. The Concentration of Federal Efforts Program coordinates Federal programs dealing with juvenile delinquency and assists Federal agencies that have responsibility for delinquency prevention and treatment. It also promotes interagency cooperation in eliminating duplicate efforts and provides direction for the use of Federal resources in facilitating a

comprehensive, unified Federal juvenile justice policy.

The Missing Children's Program was created in 1984 by the Missing Children's Assistance Act to provide Federal leadership in ensuring that every practical step is taken in recovering missing children, reuniting them with their families, and prosecuting abductors. The Program serves as a central focus for research, data collection, policy development, training professionals in the field, and providing information about missing and exploited children. It also funds the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which operates a national toll-free telephone line and serves as a national information clearinghouse.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) The Office serves as the Justice Department's chief advocate for crime victims and

their families. This includes carrying out the activities mandated by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 10601 note); monitoring

compliance with the provisions regarding assistance for Federal crime victims of the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982; and implementing the recommendations of the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, and the Attorney General's Task Force on Family Violence.

A Crime Victims Fund was created by VOCA in the U.S. Treasury to provide Federal financial assistance to State governments to compensate and assist victims of crime. Monies in the fund come from fines and penalties assessed on convicted Federal defendants. The Office awards grants to States to compensate crime victims for expenses, such as medical costs, resulting from their victimization. Grants also are awarded to State governments to support State and local programs that provide direct assistance to crime victims and their families. Priority for victim assistance funds is given to programs providing direct services to victims of sexual assault, spouse abuse, and child abuse. States also must use grant funds to assist previously underserved victim populations, such as victims of drunk drivers or the families of homicide victims.

A small portion of the Crime Victims Fund is available to support services for victims of Federal crimes. Programs under this initiative have focused on developing victim assistance services for Federal crime victims in Indian country, creating a Federal crime victim assistance fund for use by U.S. attorneys offices to pay for emergency services for Federal crime victims, and assisting Native American child abuse victims.

In collaboration with other agencies and groups, OVC administers numerous projects serving the victims of drugrelated crimes. The Office also supports demonstration, training, and technical assistance programs to improve and coordinate services to crime victims. Examples of grants are: training projects that improve or expand victim services provided by particular groups of professionals such as law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and probation, parole, and corrections personnel; projects that address special

needs of victims of particular types of crimes such as sexual assault, biasrelated crimes, elder abuse, and workplace violence; and projects that catalog and promote the use of promising practices in serving crime victims. In addition, each year OVC sponsors National Crime Victims' Rights Week to increase public awareness of crime victims' special needs and to honor those who work on behalf of victims. The OVC Resource Center, which provides information concerning victims issues to victims advocates, criminal justice practitioners, and the public, is funded by OVC. The Center may be reached toll-free on 1-800-6276872.

Violence Against Women Program Office The Violence Against Women Program Office coordinates the activities of the Bureaus within OJP relating to violence against women. It also establishes the policy for and administers the Department's formula and discretionary grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

These programs assist the Nation's criminal justice system to respond to the needs and concerns of women who have been, or potentially could be, victimized by violence. The programs emphasize enhanced delivery of services to women victimized by violence, and work to strengthen outreach efforts to minorities and disabled women. The Office provides technical assistance to State and tribal government officials in planning innovative and effective criminal justice responses to violent crimes committed against women. The Office provides Indian tribal governments with funds to develop and strengthen the tribal justice system's response to violent crimes committed against Native American women through a discretionary grant program. Drug Court Program Office The Drug Office was established to support the development and implementation of effective Drug Court programming at the State, local, and tribal level. The Office administers the Drug Court Grant Program as authorized by Title V of the

Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994.

This discretionary grant program assists local units of government in the planning, implementation, and improvement of Drug Courts which target non-violent, drug-involved offenders. The Office strives to strengthen existing Drug Courts and develop new Drug Courts, encouraging them to provide continuing judicial supervision, mandatory periodic testing for substance abuse among clients, substance abuse treatment, offender supervision, management and aftercare, combined with appropriate sanctions for failure to comply with program requirements. The Office works closely with agencies and organizations involved in the areas of justice and recovery. The Office also develops and delivers appropriate technical assistance and training to enhance the effectiveness and operation of both existing and new Drug Courts.

Corrections Program Office The Office provides leadership and assistance to State and local governments related to correctional policy and programs designed to reduce crime, increase public safety, and restore integrity to sentencing practices for violent offenders. The Office administers correctional programs authorized by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, as amended, including the Violent Offender Incarceration/Truth in Sentencing and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Programs.

The Violent Offender Incarceration/ Truth in Sentencing Program provides formula grant funds to the States to build and expand correctional facilities to increase secure space for the confinement of violent offenders and the implementation of truth in sentencing laws. The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program is designed to reduce drug and criminal activity among offenders released back into the community by producing formula grant funds to develop and expand substance abuse treatment programs for offenders while incarcerated in State and local correctional facilities.

The Corrections Program Office also

provides technical assistance and training to State and local correctional policymakers and practitioners to

encourage the adoption of sound correctional policies and "best practices."

Boards

Executive Office for Immigration
Review

Falls Church, VA 22041

The Attorney General is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1101) and all other laws relating to the immigration and

naturalization of aliens. Certain powers and authorities of the Attorney General for the administration and interpretation of the immigration laws are delegated to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is completely independent of and separate from both the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the body charged with the enforcement of the immigration laws, and the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices, the entity charged with the enforcement of the antidiscrimination provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. It includes the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer. It operates under the supervision of the Deputy Attorney General and is headed by a Director, who is responsible for the immediate supervision of the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer.

Board of Immigration Appeals The Board of Immigration Appeals is a quasijudicial body composed of 12 members, including the Chair and Vice Chair, and a Chief Attorney-Examiner who is also an alternate Board member.

The Board hears oral argument at its Falls Church, VA location. A staff of attorney-advisers assists the Board in the preparation of decisions.

The Board has been given nationwide jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions entered by district and center directors of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and by immigration judges. In addition, the Board is responsible for hearing appeals involving the suspension or barring from practice of attorneys and representatives before the Service and the Board.

Decisions of the Board are binding on all Service officers and immigration judges unless modified or overruled by judicial review in the Federal courts. The majority of appeals reaching the Board involve orders of deportation and applications for relief from deportation. Other cases before the Board include the exclusion of aliens applying for admission to the United States, petitions to classify the status of alien relatives for the issuance of preference immigrant visas, fines imposed upon carriers for the violation of the immigration laws, and motions for reopening and reconsideration of decisions previously rendered.

Following a review of the record and research into questions of law raised by the parties, an attorney-adviser drafts a proposed order for consideration of the Board members, frequently conferring with individual Board members concerning the proposed order. Attorney-advisers also assist in various administrative and support functions. In addition to developing expertise in the field of immigration law, they are often called upon to analyze questions of