NEW: BJA is pleased to announce that the application period is open for the Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative (SWBPI) FY 2008 3rd and 4th Quarter Reporting Periods (April 1, 2008-June 30, 2008; July 1, 2008-September 30, 2008). The deadline to complete the SWBPI application submission is April 30, 2009.

BJA has prepared a SWBPI Online Training Presentation to assist SWBPI participants with completing the 2008 3rd and 4th quarter applications. The training can be found here.

FY 2008 1st and 2nd Quarter Applications Closed
BJA is reviewing the 2008 1st and 2nd quarter Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative (SWBPI) applications. BJA will notify all applicants and update the SWBPI web site once the payments are complete.

Update:
All BJA SWBPI payments to date.

Overview:
The Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative (SWBPI) provides funds to eligible jurisdictions in the four southwest border states, using a uniform payment-per-case basis for qualifying federally initiated and declined-referred criminal cases that were disposed of after October 1, 2004. Eligible jurisdictions include the county governments and the four state governments in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Successful applicants may use their federal funds for any lawful purpose.

A federally initiated and referred criminal case is eligible if it was prosecuted by a state or county prosecutor and disposed of during one of the eligibility periods. Jurisdictions providing pre-trial detention for eligible case defendants are also eligible for funds. Each defendant represents a separate case. Federally referred cases that are declined and not prosecuted by state or county prosecutors are ineligible. Applicants participating in State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) are permitted to apply.

Eligible jurisdictions will be asked to submit an electronic application, using the latest Internet-based technology. The application will include a simple matrix, designed to help jurisdictions quickly quantify their eligible cases and requested level of reimbursement. One-time payments will be made through electronic funds transfer, once applications are reviewed and approved by BJA. Participants will have toll-free telephone access to technical support staff.

Legislation: The current provisions for SWBPI are contained in the FY 2005 DOJ appropriation (Public Law 108-447) : "... $30,000,000 is for the Southwest Border Prosecutor Initiative to reimburse state, county, parish, tribal, or municipal governments only for costs associated with the prosecution of criminal cases declined by local U.S. Attorneys' offices."

Funding: FY 2009 funding is approximately $31 million, and FY 2008 funding was approximately $28 million.

Eligibility: State and county governments in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas are eligible for SWBPI funds.

How/When To Apply: The entire Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative (SWBPI) application and payment request process is managed via the Internet-based SWBPI system. All application activities will be handled at the dedicated web site http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/swbpi/index.html.

Related Publications/Information:
Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative Guidelines

Related Link:
Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative web site

Contact Information:
Joseph Husted, Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Assistance
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531

SWBPI Helpdesk: 1-866-817-9274
E-mail: southwest@usdoj.gov