"Through the leadership and vision of Pennsylvania's justice community, JNET has successfully deployed a secure, data infrastructure to all 67 counties," said Stephens. "This is a major milestone for Pennsylvania and we are viewed nationwide as a model state in criminal justice data sharing."
JNET provides a common online environment where authorized users can access offender records, current addresses, photos, signatures and other critical information to help with identification purposes. The JNET portal allows users to enter a search criterion via a Web browser and simultaneously query information from disparate state, county, municipal and federal justice databases.
JNET has more than 21,000 users, including state and local police and criminal justice practitioners from all levels of government.
"JNET usage is growing at an incredible pace," said JNET Director Chad Firestone. "Over the past four years, we have worked diligently with county justice agencies to establish an understanding of integrated justice and its impact on public safety. Our collaborative efforts have clearly paid off with every county getting connected through JNET."
"One-time data entry has improved agency effectiveness while allowing agencies to maintain ownership of their own records management systems," said Firestone. "We are often referred to as the cutting edge of information sharing."
The Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania recently recognized JNET with its Best Application of Technology award. The award considered the use and implementation of technology, and specifically focused on JNET's ability to provide public safety practitioners with around-the-clock, single point access to disparate criminal justice and public safety information.
The JNET user community currently includes 38 federal agencies, 33 Commonwealth agencies, all 67 counties, and hundreds of municipal agencies.
