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Office of Justice Programs

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Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

Mississippi Department of Public Safety – Division of Public Safety Planning

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is Mississippi’s central hub for criminal justice planning, grant administration, and public safety program development. As a division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, OJP oversees more than $50 million in federal and state grant funding each year to strengthen public safety efforts statewide.

What We Do

OJP supports Mississippi’s criminal justice system by:

  • Administering federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

  • Managing state-appropriated public safety grant programs

  • Conducting statewide criminal justice planning, strategic assessments, and grant workshops

  • Providing technical assistance and support to local governments, law enforcement agencies, courts, and community organizations

Grant Programs

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Edward Byrne Memorial Program

The Byrne JAG Program merges the former Byrne and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant programs into one flexible funding source. JAG supports local priorities aimed at reducing crime, improving public safety, and enhancing local criminal justice systems.

Eligible Use Areas:

  • Law enforcement operations and equipment

  • Prosecution and court enhancement

  • Crime prevention and education initiatives

  • Drug treatment and rehabilitation

  • Criminal justice technology and planning

Common Project Types:

  • Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces

  • Victim/Witness Assistance Programs

  • Local Law Enforcement Support Grants

  • Certified Investigator and Advanced Training Programs

Juvenile Justice Programs

OJP is Mississippi’s designated state agency responsible for administering federal juvenile justice funds under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).

Programs administered include:

  • Title II Formula Grants – Prevention, early intervention, alternatives to detention, and system improvement

  • Title V Community Prevention Grants – Localized delinquency prevention strategies

  • Juvenile Accountability Programs (JABG-related initiatives)

  • Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL)

Key Focus Areas

  • Racial & Ethnic Disparities (RED/DMC): Reducing the disproportionate involvement of minority youth at all stages of the juvenile justice process

  • Compliance Monitoring: Ensuring Mississippi meets the JJDPA’s four core protections:

    1. Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO)

    2. Separation of juveniles from adult inmates

    3. Jail removal protections

    4. Disproportionate Minority Contact (monitored separately as RED)

Click here to view the 2024–2027 Title II Three-Year Plan.

How to Apply for Funding

Each grant program opens for applications during designated solicitation periods. To apply:

  1. Monitor OJP’s Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and program announcements.

  2. Follow the specific application guidelines outlined for each grant program.

  3. Contact the applicable program manager to be added to the email distribution list for automatic notifications.

Local Law Enforcement Block Grant packets are sent directly to the chief executive officials of eligible jurisdictions.