U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

State Justice Statistics Program

Program Summary

BJS has long supported the establishment and operation of Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) in the states and territories to collect, analyze, and report statistics on crime and justice to federal, state, and local levels of government, and to share state-level information nationally. The information produced by SACs and their involvement in criminal justice projects has been and will continue to be critical to local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies and community organizations as they develop programs and policies related to crime, illegal drugs, victim services, and the administration of justice

State Justice Statistics Program Goals and Objectives

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through the collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides limited funds to each state to coordinate statistical activities within the state, conduct research as needed to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve a liaison role in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

Focus Areas for FY 2018

The FY 2018 SJS Program will continue to concentrate on building the core capacities of the state SAC and improving the sharing of state-level information nationally. The emphasis of this year's program is on enhancing the SAC's capabilities to collect, analyze, and publish statistical data that supports the state's strategic criminal justice planning needs as well as BJS and national priorities. SACs applying for funds may choose a Core Capacity-Building project focusing on enhancing or building access to new sources of data and improving analytic capability, rather than maintaining current efforts. Funds may also be used to support a specific Special Emphasis Capacity Building project from one of the program areas listed below.

Core Capacity-Building Program Areas:

  1. Carrying out research and analyses using incident-based crime data that are compatible with the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
  2. Measuring criminal justice system performance
  3. Increasing access to statistical data
  4. Other capacity building project identified by the SAC.

Special Emphasis on Capacity Building Program Areas:

  1. Utilizing administrative or operational criminal justice data for research
  2. Conducting targeted analyses that use the state's criminal history records.

Past Program Announcements

State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers, 2018 (360K PDF)

2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

 

State-by State-Information

View related publications

Terms & Definitions

Data quality

The extent to which criminal history records are complete, accurate, and timely. In addition, accessibility sometimes is considered a data quality factor. The key concern in data quality is the completeness of records and the extent to which records include dispositions as well as arrest and charge information. Other concerns include the timeliness of data reporting to state and federal repositories, the timeliness of data entry by the repositories, the readability of criminal history records, and the ability to have access to the records when necessary.

Statistical Analysis Center (SAC)

Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) are units or agencies at the State government level that use operational, management, and research information from all components of the criminal justice system to conduct objective analyses of statewide and systemwide policy issues. There are currently SACs in 53 States and territories. The SACs vary in their placement within the State government structures. Some are within a criminal justice or general State planning or coordinating agency; some are part of a governor's advisory staff; and others are located in a line agency such as the State police, attorney general's office, or department of corrections. There are several housed in universities.

Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) Director

Each State Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) is led by a SAC Director who manages the day-to-day operations of the SAC. The SAC Director has extensive knowledge of research methodology and statistical analyses techniques, as well as the ability to design and conduct research studies, and produce and present findings in written and oral presentations. Additionally, the SAC Director is familiar with the factors, issues, and processes involved in crime and the criminal justice system. The SAC Director is able to communicate effectively and maintain sound working relationships with all levels of staff, employees from other agencies, and public officials. A degree, with major studies in mathematics/statistics, computer science, criminology or a related social sciences field with emphasis on research methodology, from an accredited college or university is required.

Date Created: March 3, 2021