http://www.ojp.gov Press Releases and media advisories from the Office of Justice Programs EN ojpwebmaster@usdoj.gov Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:47:13 GMT Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:54:14 GMT http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/smart08019.htm The Department of Justice today announced the final guidelines for Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The Guidelines provide necessary tools for states, the District of Columbia, territories and certain federally recognized Indian tribes to incorporate SORNA minimum requirements into their sex offender registration and notification programs. 01 July 2008 http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bjs08085.htm An estimated 3.2 percent of jail inmates (24,700) reported one or more incidents of sexual victimization in a survey mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics announced today. About 1.6 percent of all inmates (12,100) reported an incident involving another inmate, 2.0 percent (15,200) reported an incident involving jail staff, and 0.4 percent reported being victimized by both other inmates and staff. 25 June 2008 http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/nij08020.htm The use of DNA technology results in a higher probability of arrest for all property loss crimes, according to a study released today from the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ). 16 June 2008 http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bjs08083.htm The growth in the number of prisoners under state or federal jurisdiction slowed during the first six months of 2007, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported today. The number of prisoners rose 1.6 percent, which was lower than the 2.0 percent growth during the same period in 2006. In absolute numbers, prisoners under the legal jurisdiction of state or federal correctional authorities—some of whom were housed in local jails—increased by 24,919 prisoners to reach 1,595,037 prisoners. 06 June 2008 http://www.ojp.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ojjdp08024.htm The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), along with crime prevention and wireless organizations, today outlined steps parents can take to reduce the risk of their children becoming victims of online bullying. At a National Press Club briefing held as part of Internet Safety Month, OJP officials and national experts highlighted recent cyberbullying research and showcased state-of-the-art resources available to help middle- and high-school students avoid being threatened while using computers, wireless devices and other technology. 04 June 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ojjdp08023.htm he Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Council and CTIA-The Wireless Association, will host a briefing to raise awareness of Internet safety issues and to familiarize people with the Department’s education and prevention programs on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 at 9:00 A .M. EDT. 03 June 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ojjdp08021.htm Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey commemorated National Missing Children's Day in a ceremony today by honoring law enforcement officers and citizens from across the country for their tireless commitment to recovering missing children and combating child exploitation. 21 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ojjdp08022.htm Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey will honor law enforcement officers and dedicated citizens throughout the nation for their efforts to recover missing children at the Department of Justice's National Missing Children's Day Ceremony WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008 at 2 p.m. EDT. 20 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bja08023.htm The Honorable Domingo S. Herraiz, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs will testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security regarding H.R. 3546, a bill to authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program 20 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/doj08421.htm Deputy Attorney General Mark R. Filip today opened the first meeting of the Department’s Advisory Council on Tribal Justice Issues. The council was formed by the Deputy Attorney General in April to periodically review and discuss issues and major actions affecting the Department’s work in Indian Country. 14 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/oaag08018.htm The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the appointment of Walter B. Ridley to the Justice Department’s Review Panel on Prison Rape. Ridley is the President and CEO of the Ridley Group, LLC, a criminal justice and faith-based consulting firm located in Maryland. 14 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/oaag08017.htm The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the appointment of Police Chief Trevor Whipple to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board. Whipple currently serves as Chief of Police for the South Burlington Police Department. 07 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bja08016.htm The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs is accepting nominations beginning May 30, 2008, for the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. The medal is awarded by the President to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General who have exhibited exceptional courage in protecting or saving lives. 05 May 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/smart08015.htm The U.S. Department of Justice today announced more than $11.8 million in grants and assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to assist with developing or enhancing programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. These awards are made through the Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program. 29 Apr 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bjs08014.htm Between 2005 and 2006 the number of state and federal prisoners who were HIV-positive decreased 3.1 percent––from 22,676 to 21,980 inmates, according to a report by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Another BJS report estimated that 44 percent of state inmates and 39 percent of federal inmates reported a current medical problem other than a cold or a virus. 22 Apr 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ovc08013.htm As part of its 28th annual observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13-19, the Department of Justice will honor the nine recipients of this year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards at an awards ceremony on Friday, April 11, 2008. The awards program, which is coordinated by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), a component of the Department's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), recognizes the work of individuals and organizations that have helped victims rebuild their lives. 10 Apr 2008 http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/usdoj/32496/ During April, the Department of Justice is observing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month as a way to bring attention to the needs of child abuse and sexual assault victims. 08 Apr 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/ovc08011.htm Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey and other Justice Department officials will pay tribute to victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Journalist Dominick Dunne will join them at a public vigil on Thursday evening to speak about his experience as a survivor of his daughter's homicide. On Friday afternoon, the Attorney General will honor local and national figures with the highest national awards for victim service and advocacy. Both events are open to the public and are hosted by the Department's Office for Victims of Crime as a prelude to National Crime Victims Rights' Week (April 13-19). 07 Apr 2008 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2008/bjs08010.htm State felony defendants charged with domestic violence (DV) were prosecuted, convicted and incarcerated at rates either equal to or higher than felony defendants charged with non-domestic violence (non-DV), the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today. The study compared domestic and non-domestic sexual assault and domestic and non-domestic aggravated assault cases filed in state courts of 15 large urban counties during May 2002 on 11 prosecution, conviction and sentencing outcome measures. Domestic violence includes violence among family members, intimate partners and household cohabitants. 08 Feb 2008