The grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), will help states build on promising practices to improve justice information sharing. States proposed projects related to developing information privacy protection policies for justice information sharing initiatives and collaborating with the state's homeland security initiatives. Grants can be used to help design an operational system or process; convene a task force or working group to develop an actionable implementation plan; or add to existing funding for implementation. Selected states will receive technical assistance and resources in areas that have been identified as key to advancing justice information sharing initiatives.
"Justice information systems can provide vital information to support homeland security efforts," said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. "The efforts supported by the grant successfully balance the benefits of sharing justice information with the need to protect the privacy of individuals in their states."
A recent NGA issue brief, Protecting Privacy in Integrated Justice Systems, examined the impact of recent advances in justice information sharing on privacy protections and made recommendations to help states continue the public safety gains made from justice information sharing while improving individual privacy protections.
Alabama, for example, plans to use the funds it receives for a pilot program to demonstrate the interstate sharing of critical justice-related information such as court, corrections and parole records as well as driver's license and car tag registration records. "In this post 9/11 era, we pride ourselves in the progressive and innovative approaches we are taking to share critical information among our criminal justice and homeland security communities," said Gov. Bob Riley. "We hope, through this seed money, we can pioneer the sharing of information to keep our citizens safe throughout the nation."
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Justice Information Sharing (WIJIS) program will use these funds to develop a standard language that will ensure privacy protections throughout the integrated justice system. "We have done a tremendous amount to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of our system," said Gov. Jim Doyle. "This program will further Wisconsin's efforts to responsibly share information throughout the criminal justice system."
In addition, the Delaware Information Analysis Center -- which provides each law enforcement agency with a direct access link to timely information -- will procure additional analysis tools for enhancing homeland security. Illinois will identify privacy issues created by the enhanced collection, analysis, and sharing of electronic police incident report information. The Michigan Department of State Police will enhance its Statewide Network of Agency Photos -- a database of criminal mug shots -- by upgrading the software to allow for submission of digital images. The South Carolina Information Exchange will improve its capabilities by creating a standardized search capability for phone numbers that enables users to find everyone who has used or been associated with that specific number and allow users to search scars, marks and tattoos.
