The SJS Program is designed to maintain and enhance each states capacity to address criminal justice issues through the collection and analysis of data.
The program provides limited funds to coordinate statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate the impacts of legislative
credit:
and policy changes, and serve as a liaison role to assist BJS with gathering data from respondent agencies in their states.
Each application for funding under this program must identify the participating organizations in the state and the particular issues to be addressed.
Each year, BJS announces specific topics for analysis and encourages applicants to give careful consideration to planning activities that fit within one or more of the designated topics (see section SJS Program Themes).
If a SAC does not feel that any of the topics are relevant to its state, then it may identify a topic or statistical activity of critical importance to its jurisdiction.