NCJ Number
80325
Date Published
1980
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This report highlights the activities of the Office of Justice Assistance, Research, and Statistics' (OJARS) Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) in monitoring compliance with Federal regulations prohibiting discrimination by recipients of LEAA, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and National Institute of Justice grant funds.
Abstract
By the end of fiscal year 1980, the OCRC had received and docketed more than 1,000 allegations of discriminatory activity by LEAA and OJARS grantees and resolved more than 80 percent of all cases docketed. This report traces the history of Federal legislation on civil rights compliance in LEAA programs, with particular attention to the Crime Control Act of 1976, 1977 LEAA regulations pertaining to investigations of complaints, and the 1979 Justice System Improvement Act. Activities conducted by the OCRC other than compliance reviews are described, such as reviewing funding requests and providing technical assistance. An outline of the complaint investigation process notes that the OJARS does not believe it can shorten the timetables at this time. A discussion of the onsite compliance review covers criticisms of past efforts, criteria used in selecting an agency for review, and operational areas examined in a site visit. To demonstrate the effectiveness of OCRC's divisions, a list of cash settlements, compliance agreements, and other satisfactory resolutions achieved since February 1977 is presented. Statutes which mandate funding cutoffs under specific circumstances are summarized. The management information system which allows OCRC to meet the strict timeframes for processing complaints are discussed. Organizations which can provide information and technical assistance with nondiscriminatory employment policies and practices are recommended. Finally, issues that the OCRC plans to address in the future are identified.