Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2011, $275,000)
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.
Under this award, the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration will transfer funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to aid the state's efforts to improve criminal history records. AOC will purchase hardware and software packages for phase II of its case judgment automation project. This project is a statewide effort that involves many different state agencies and their records. The purpose of this project will be to electronically produce final judgment orders from across the state and make them available to authorized agencies which will aid in reducing the redundancy of data entry within the business flow. TBI is requesting funds to design a project to improve the Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS) software. Upgrading the TICS system creates a more accurate and complete record and improves the automation process thereby automating access to information concerning persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm and transmitting relevant records to the national systems (III, NCIC, and the NICS Index). Funds will also be used by the Office of Criminal Justice Programs to cover administrative costs related to the projects being conducted. (CA/NCF)