![[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/images/buildings/1198-1-07699b.jpg)
In 1995, the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention was created by the Governor to address concerns about public safety and the prevention of crime and substance abuse (Executive Order 01.01.1995.03; Executive Order 01.01.1995.18; Executive Order 01.01.1996.05; Executive Order 01.01.2005.36). The Office formed by merging functions of the Office of Justice Administration and the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. From January 1997 to 2003, the Office functioned under the Lieutenant Governor.
100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
All federal funding that comes to Maryland for criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victims' services is administered by the Office.
For nonprofit community groups and local and State government agencies, the Office provides access to State and federal grant programs that improve public safety. They include the Body Armor for Local Law Enforcement, the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund; the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program; the Children's Justice Act Committee; the Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act; the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program (DVUP); the Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program; the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Program; the Law Enforcement Training Scholarship Program; the Project Safe Neighborhood Anti-Gang Initiative; Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners; the School Safety Enforcement Fund; Sex Offender and Compliance Enforcement in Maryland (SOCEM); the Stop Violence Against Women Program; the Title V Delinquency Prevention Program; and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant Program.
The Office administers grants for the Maryland Police Corps, a federal college scholarship program enacted in 1996. Maryland was one of the first states chosen by the U.S. Department of Justice to recruit and train college graduates to serve four years as community police officers. Maryland Police Corps officers presently serve in the police departments of Baltimore City, Hagerstown, and Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties.
Criminal Justice Program. Under the Office, the Criminal Justice Program (formerly the Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Program) stems from the Law Enforcement Program of the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Commission. That program became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 1995. Renamed the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program in 1997, it adopted its current name in 2001.
The Criminal Justice Program administers funding and provides technical support to programs for law enforcement and the prosecution and adjudication of offenders. To improve the criminal justice system, the Program assists projects, such as community policing and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Support may include the use of electronic and other technology. In addition, the Program seeks effective means of coping with drug addiction and mental illness in the criminal justice system.
First located at Hampton Plaza, 300 East Joppa Road in Towson, Maryland, the Office moved to 100 Community Place in Crownsville, Maryland, in June 2016.
Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Council; Cease Fire Council; the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board; the Interagency Disabilities Board; the Task Force to Study Erroneous Conviction and Imprisonment; the Governor's Family Violence Council; the Task Force to Study Maryland's Criminal Gang Statutes; the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board; the Council on Open Data; the Council for the Procurement of Health, Educational and Social Services; the Sexual Offender Advisory Board; the State Board of Victim Services; and the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council.
Formerly, the Office was organized under three units: Legislation; Policy and Planning; and Special Projects. In October 2016, the Office reformed under three divisions: Administration; Programs and Implementation; and Research, Analysis and Evaluation. The Office also is assisted by the Cease Fire Council, the Governor's Family Violence Council, and the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board.
The Council administers the Cease Fire Council Grant Program to reduce firearms violence through support for innovative and collaborative initiatives.
Eleven members serve on the Council. Seven are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Four serve ex officio. The Secretary of State Police chairs the Council (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 5-501 through 5-504).
Through the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Council advises the Governor on issues related to family violence, and proposes policy, legislative and regulatory changes to reduce family violence, protect victims, and punish perpetrators. The Council also considers what State policies and programs are effective in preventing family violence; and the relationship between family violence and juvenile delinquency, alcohol and substance abuse, and other problems.
The Council consists of no more than twenty-eight members. Up to twelve members are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor; four members represent the Legislature, one represents the Judiciary; one represents the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association; and ten serve ex officio. The Governor designates the chair and any vice-chairs of the Council (Executive Order 01.01.2012.05).
JUSTICE REINVESTMENT OVERSIGHT BOARD
The Board is charged with reducing Maryland prison population, reducing spending on corrections, and reinvesting public funds to increase public safety and reduce recidivism.
Implementation of the recommendations of the former Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council is overseen by the Board, which monitors that implementation, and ensures compliance with the Council's recommendations. Further, the Board evaluates recommendations from the Local Government Justice Reinvestment Commission, and makes its own legislative and budgetary recommendations for data-driven and fiscally sound criminal justice policy changes.
Data disaggregated by race and ethnicity concerning pretrial detainees from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Maryland Parole Commission, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy is collected and analyzed by the Board. Further, with those entities, the Board creates performance measures that track and assess results from laws stemming from the recommendations of the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council. Also, the Board will create performance measures that gauge the effectiveness of grants from the Performance Incentive Grant Fund (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-3201 through 9-3212).
The Commission advises the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board on matters related to legislation, regulations, rules, budgets, and actions needed to implement recommendations of the former Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council as they relate to local governments.
Membership of the Commission consists of one person from each county appointed to a four-year term by the governing body of the county. The Commission Chair is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
MARYLAND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION & PREVENTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Council consults with the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention on the administration of the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund. In establishing procedures for local governments to apply for funding and for distributing funding, the Council assists the Executive Director. The Council also advises the Governor and the Executive Director on implementing gun violence prevention programs in Maryland.
For nonsuppression-based violence intervention and prevention programs, the Council is to review and publish reports on their success or failure.
Instituted in 1968, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board provides financial assistance to victims of crime (Chapter 455, Acts of 1968). The Board administers compensation for innocent persons suffering physical injury or death as a result of criminal acts or in their efforts to prevent crime or apprehend criminals. In July 2018, the Board transferred from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention where it was placed under the Victim Services Unit (Chapter 422, Acts of 2018).
The Board maintains an office and staff to investigate and hear claims for awards filed with the Board. Claims may be filed with the Board by an innocent crime victim; a surviving spouse or child of a homicide victim; a person dependent for support on a homicide victim; a victim or surviving family of an international terrorist attack; a victim or surviving family of a hit-and-run or drunk driver; a person killed or injured while trying to prevent a crime and their surviving family; a person killed or injured while giving aid to a law enforcement officer performing official duties; or a person who paid for or assumed responsibility for the funeral expenses of a homicide victim. Awards are made for medical expenses, disability, total and partial dependency, funeral expenses, counseling, and crime scene clean up.
The Board is funded through fees assessed on defendants in Circuit and District courts and funds received through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984.
Five members constitute the Board. They are appointed to five-year terms by the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services with the Governor's approval and Senate advice and consent. With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary designates the chair. The Board appoints the Executive Director with the approval of the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services (Code Criminal Procedure Article, secs. 11-801 through 11-819).
Programs and Implementation helps local governments and agencies access federal and State grants to fund crime fighting strategies. It also oversees the Maryland Domestic-Violence Health-Care Screening and Response Initiative, and Grants Operations.
Administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Initiative encourages and promotes the establishment of local domestic-violence health-care screening and response programs. To such local programs, the Office provides technical assistance and prioritizes them to receive State and federal grants.
ENFORCING UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS (EUDL) PROGRAM
HUMAN TRAFFICKING POLICY
JUVENILE JUSTICE & VICTIM SERVICES
The Council administers federal and State juvenile justice funds. Also, in keeping with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, the Council serves as Maryland's State Advisory Group as required by the Act. By this law, the federal government sets standards for state and local juvenile justice systems, and provides funding for states from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Further, the Council works with the Juvenile Justice Compliance Monitor to ensure compliance with the federal Act.
A State three-year plan is developed and annually updated by the Council. The Council also reviews and makes recommendations on all juvenile and delinquency prevention grant applications; and advises the Office of Crime Control and Prevention on how to develop and expedite programs that divert juveniles from the juvenile justice system into community-based alternatives.
The Council is assisted by six subcommittees: Disproportionate Minority Contact; Executive; Grant Monitoring; Legislative; Recruitment, Training, and Regionalization; and Youth Engagement.
Appointed by the Governor to three-year terms, the Council consists of between 15 and 33 members. One-fifth of the members must be under age 24 when appointed, and three members must be or have been in the juvenile justice system. Serving as the Governor's designee on the Council, the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention names the Chair.
VICTIM RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
VICTIMS OF CRIME ASSISTANCE INITIATIVES
The Program administers funding and provides technical support for efforts to help victims of crime and those who suffer domestic and family violence.
Heading the Program, the Victim Services Coordinator is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
The Board advises the Governor on services needed by victims of crime. The Board also reviews the plans and annual reports of the Victim Services Coordinator as well as the implementation, operation, and revision of programs by the Coordinator.
To the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Board makes recommendations on the uses of the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund and the Legal Services for Crime Victims Fund.
Twenty-two members compose the Board. Fourteen are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals names a member of the Judiciary to a five-year term. Seven members serve ex officio. The Governor or Governor's designee serves as chair (Code Criminal Procedure Article, secs. 11-910 through 11-919).
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAM
Under the Program, law enforcement officers, court commissioners, "911" operators, judges, and state's attorneys are trained to respond effectively to violent crimes against women. Coordinated community responses to domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault are supported. In addition, the Program provides a uniform data collection system to track offenses and standardizes the processing of legal cases involving domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.
Since 2000, the Program has administered the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program Fund. This fund is used by local law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely and accurate entry of civil protective and ex parte orders into databases.
Formerly under the Metro Regional Office, the Program in February 2011 transferred to the Western Regional Office, and then in November 2011 to the Eastern Regional Office, which disbanded in October 2016.
Committee members represent government as well as nonprofit, private-sector programs for victims.
The Fund provides grants to local sheriffs' offices and police departments to create domestic violence units. Such units focus on the service of ex parte and protective orders, and keeping databases updated.
Formerly under the Metro Regional Office, the Program transferred to the Eastern Regional Office in February 2011, and then to the Western Regional Office in December 2011.
RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & EVALUATION DIVISION
The Maryland Statistical Analysis Center is overseen by the Division.
The Center serves as a statewide information center and repository for criminal and juvenile justice statistics and information. It also coordinates research and technical assistance. To State and local agencies, it provides access to federal resources for criminal and juvenile justice statistical information. In addition, the Center assists the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board.
Through its Research Program, the Center funds original research projects that seek out, analyze, and evaluate current Maryland policies and practices to improve public safety.
CEASE FIRE COUNCIL
On October 1, 2000, the Cease Fire Council formed within the Department of State Police (Chapter 2, Acts of 2000). On July 1, 2005, it transferred to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Chapter 217, Acts of 2005).
GOVERNOR'S FAMILY VIOLENCE COUNCIL
The Governor's Family Violence Council originated in 1995 as the Family Violence Council, organized by the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General. As the Governor's Council on Family Violence Prevention, it was reformed by the Governor within the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in January 2006 (Executive Order 01.01.2006.01). In October 2008, the Council received its present name (Executive Order 01.01.2008.16).
In October 2016, the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board formed (Chapter 515, Acts of 2016).
LOCAL GOVERNMENT JUSTICE REINVESTMENT COMMISSON
In October 2016, the Local Government Justice Reinvestment Commission was established (Chapter 515, Acts of 2016; Code State Government Article, secs. 9-3211).
In July 2018, the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council was established in the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Chapter 148, Acts of 2018).
VICTIM SERVICES UNIT
The Victim Services Unit was established within the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in July 2018 (Chapter 422, Acts of 2018).
CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD
6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 312, Baltimore, MD 21215 - 2341
PROGRAMS & IMPLEMENTATION
In August 2007, Programs and Implementation began as Operations which organized to improve public safety in Maryland. Under Operations, a regional organization of programs was implemented in August 2007. Federal and State grant programs were accessed through two regional offices: Eastern, and Western. Oversight and funding for sexual assault crisis programs and domestic violence programs also were placed under Operations in July 2011, when these responsibilities transferred to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention from the Department of Human Resources (Chapter 356, Acts of 2011). Programs and Implementation replaced Operations in October 2016.
MARYLAND DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE HEALTH-CARE SCREENING & RESPONSE INITIATIVE
The Maryland Domestic-Violence Health-Care Screening and Response Initiative began in September 2010 (Executive Order 01.01.2010.20).
PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
Planning and Implementation oversees seven units: the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program; Human Trafficking Policy; Juvenile Justice and Victim Services; Public Safety Strategies; School Bus Safety Enforcement; Victims of Crime Assistance Initiatives; and the Violence Against Women Act Program.
Juvenile Justice and Victim Services began when the Equal Justice and Policy Division merged with the Youth Services Division on January 31, 2007. Earlier, the Equal Justice and Policy Division had formed in 2005. The Youth Services Division originated as the Youth, Justice, and Community Service Division, and became the Youth Services Division in 2003. Many functions of the two divisions dispersed to regional offices in restructuring of August 2007. Those juvenile justice functions not dispersed to regional offices were assigned to the Juvenile Justice Policy Unit in August 2007. The Unit was restructured as Juvenile Justice and Victim Services in October 2016. This unit staffs the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council, and the Children's Justice Act Committee.
JUVENILE GRANT PLANNING & REVIEW COUNCIL
In August 2005, the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council was formed by the Governor and reauthorized in March 2010 (Executive Order 01.01.2005.37; Executive Order 01.01.2010.06; Executive Order 01.01.2014.15).
The Victim Services Program began in 1988, later became the Victim Services and Domestic Violence Program, and adopted its present name in 1999. In December 2011, the Program moved under the Western Regional Office, which was disbanded in October 2016.
STATE BOARD OF VICTIM SERVICES
In 1988, the State Board of Victim Services was created within the Office of the Attorney General (Chapter 256, Acts of 1988). Reorganized in 1992, the Board transferred to the Office of Justice Administration (Chapter 270, Acts of 1992). In 1995, the Board became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (Executive Order 01.01.1995.18).
The Violence Against Women Act Program was authorized under the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). By that federal law, states administer funds to combat crimes of violence against women and improve legal protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
PLANNING & STRATEGY COMMITTEE
Since 1995, the Planning and Strategy Committee determines what programs and projects to support with federal funds. To develop priorities for funding, the Committee receives recommendations from the Governor's Family Violence Council.
PROGRAMS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT PILOT PROGRAM
In May 2000, the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program Fund was established (Chapter 572, Acts of 2000).
The Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Division started as the Public Affairs, Policy and Research Division and reformed as Research and Evaluation in 2003. As the Planning, Research, and Legislative Support Division, it reorganized in 2007. The Division merged in 2011 with Policy and became Policy, Research, and Training. In June 2015, a separate unit for policy and planning formed, and Research moved under Operations. Within Programs and Implementation, Research reorganized as the Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Division under Programs in October 2016.
MARYLAND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CENTER
In 1984, the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center originated as the Maryland Justice Analysis Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. It was reconstituted by the Governor as the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center within the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in March 2007 (Executive Order 01.01.2007.04).
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