U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         BJS
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1997                  202/633-3047

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS
      PUTS NEW CRIME DATA ON THE INTERNET

    WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department's
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has revised its
Internet webpage, adding new graphs and data
tables that show long-term and short-term crime
trends and other criminal justice statistics.  The
revamped and expanded site can be found at: 

         http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/

    Up-to-date statistics are readily accessible
with a quick mouse click on Key Facts at a Glance. 
Trend information about crime rates, prison
population, federal prosecutions and criminal
justice expenditures are available, as are answers
to frequently asked questions.

     Each state's crime data from 1960 through
1995 are available at Data to Download: Crime and
Justice Electronic Data Abstracts.  The data and
many other variables have been combined into a
series of simple spreadsheets that allow users to
analyze, chart and look up key statistics.  Topics
covered include crime, corrections, police,
prosecutorial resources as well as case
processing.  

     Beginning today, the Internet version of
BJS's "Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics,"
will be updated regularly.  Previously, users had
to wait for the annual fall publication to get the
most current facts in "Sourcebook" form.  Now
users will be able to consult the What's New
section of the BJS site.  The "Sourcebook On-line"
can also be accessed directly at:

          http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook

     The first set of new tables now available
include data on high school students' drug,
alcohol and cigarette use and their delinquent
behavior; drug use by adult and juvenile
arrestees; firearms in the home; hate crimes;
criminal cases filed per judgeship in U.S.
District Courts; the annual salaries of Federal
judges; bank holdups; bombing incidents; etc.

     Additional criminal justice materials can be
obtained from the Office of Justice Programs
homepage at:
     
           http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov

BJS97053  
After hours contact:  Stu Smith at 301/983-9354   

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