Criminal justice programs are faring well in the Justice Department appropriations bill being finalized by Congress for the fiscal year that began in October. A Senate-House conference committee is recommending $511 million for Byrne Justice Assistance grants to states and localities, similar to last year, $298 million for police hiring, which got nothing last year, and $41 million for the National Crime Victimization Survey, up from $26 million.
Among other major items in the bill, which is now being circulated pending floor votes in each house: $705 million for crime-victim-aid programs, up from $635 milliion last year; $100 million for Second Chance Act for prisoner re-entry programs, up from $25 million last year; $210 million for violence-against-women programs, up from $190 million, and $45 million for drug courts, up from $40 million.