Department of Justice/Community Relations Service

TITLE: Community Relations Service Information System

ACRONYM: CRSIS

ORIGINATOR:

Department/Agency Name: U.S. Department of Justice
Major Organization Subdivision: Community Relations Service
Minor Organization Subdivision:
Name of Unit: Information Technology
Street Address: 600 E Street, NW, Suite 6000
City: Washington, D.C.
State:
Zip Code: 20530
Country: United States
Hours of Service: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Telephone: (202) 305-2935
FAX: (202) 305-3009
E-Mail Address: http://www.usdoj.gov/crs.htm

ABSTRACT: The CRSIS system is database management system that CRS uses to capture, store, analyze, and disseminate within the agency information about its conflict prevention and resolution activities.

PURPOSE: The purpose for maintaining the CRSIS system records is to provide CRS the data necessary to prepare weekly reports to the Attorney General and other components of the Department of Justice that have a need to know about CRS case work. The information maintained by this system is also used to prepare annual reports to Congress and is used by CRS to assist governors, mayors, police chiefs, and school superintendents, assess underlying conditions that might lead to racial and ethnic conflict, violence and civil disorder.

ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: All records in CRSIS are protected from unauthorized access through appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. These safeguards include restricting access to those with a need-to-know to perform their official duties, using passwords and/or encrypting data communications.

USE CONSTRAINTS: Users of the CRSIS system will be restricted to only those privileges necessary to perform assigned tasks. In addition, information stored in CRSIS is covered under a special confidentiality clause in the statutory establishment of the Agency (U.S.C. 2000g(2)b: . . . "the Service shall hold confidential any information acquired in the regular performance of its duties upon the understanding that it would be so held. No officer or employee of the Service shall engage in the performance of investigative or prosecuting functions of any department or agency in any litigation arising out of a dispute in which he acted on behalf of the Service."

AGENCY PROGRAM: The Community Relations Service is the Department's "peacemaker" for the community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin. Created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CRS is the only Federal agency dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, incidents, and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony. CRS facilitates the development of viable, mutual understandings and agreements as alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation. CRS does not take sides among disputing parties and, in promoting the principles and ideas of non-discrimination, applies skills that allow parties to come to their own agreement. In performing this mission, CRS deploys highly skilled professional conciliators, who are able to assist people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.

SOURCES OF DATA: Data contained in CRSIS is inputted by CRS conciliation specialists who perform CRS case work in the Regional and Field offices.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICE FOR DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION (if different from originator): Originator

ORDER PROCESS: A request for access to records from the system will be made in writing as a "Freedom of Information/Privacy Act" request. All requests are subject to CRS' confidentiality provision that states, "CRS conciliators are required by law to conduct their activities in confidence, without publicity, and prohibited from disclosing confidential information. Requests for access to information must be addressed to the Director, Community Relations Service, 600 E Street, NW, Suite 6000, Washington, D.C. 20530.

OFFICE OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (if different from originator): Originator