Improving Criminal Arrest Records

The goal of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is to improve the Nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by insuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and non-criminal justice background check systems. BJS provides direct financial and technical assistance to the states to improve criminal history and other related records and to build their infrastructure to connect to national record check systems both to supply information and to conduct the requisite checks.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will use FY 2011 NCHIP funds to: 1) continue efforts to improve the quality, timeliness, and completeness of criminal history records in the state repository by researching missing dispositions for approximately 11,600 arrest events with a resolution goal of 90%, resulting in updates to approximately 10,500 records and 2) conduct criminal history records information checks, through the Maryland State Archives, in response to approximately 2,100 FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) inquiries for arrests in the state historical records. CA/NCF