PAD-599 Power-Point Assignment - Based on Assignment 1 thru 4.

Delores Blango

PAD – 599 Capstone

Dr. Angela Smith

December 1, 2021

Analysis of Budgeting Plans and Actual Expenditures

The United States Department of Justice is an executive division of the federal government tasked with the administration of justice and enforcement of law. The agency is also in charge of ensuring public safety against domestic and foreign attacks; necessitating federal leadership in controlling and preventing crime; to ensure the impartial and fair administration of justice, and to seek fair punishment for those found guilty of unlawful behavior.

The 2020 fiscal year saw the United States Department of Justice request a budget totaling $29.2 billion. These funds were meant to facilitate various agency actions, including projects it had started in the previous year. The U.S Department of Justice's budget was delineated into five major sections; law enforcement 51%; Prisons and Detention 29%, Litigation 10.5%; grants 6%; and administration/immigration/technology and other activities 2.9%. The department's fiscal budget reflects the highest priorities, such as maintaining law and order and administration of justice. It also ensures that the department protects all Americans and that the federal government's interests are defended (Jennings & Perez, 2020). Therefore, the 2020 fiscal year budget included resources that would help confront any threats against the people of America and the country as a whole.

Out of the $29.2 billion, $82 million was directed towards cyber efforts and $58 million for national security. This would defend the country's critical structure and the American citizens from any cyber-related attacks. $72 million was channeled towards immigration and other related enhancements to enhance immigration enforcement and border security. The resources would also help the federal government improve immigration hearings efficiently and expeditiously, thus combating illegal immigration. $290 million was directed in program enhancement and fights towards the ongoing opioid crisis (Florence, Luo & Rice, 2021). $350 million was channeled in prisoner and detention enhancement programs. $133 million to enhance the federal government's ability to combat crime and unlawful behaviors. $4.3 billion was directed in mandatory and discretionary funding for local and federal grants, law enforcement personnel, tribal law enforcement, and other critical programs.

The U.S Department of Justice's 2021 fiscal year budget totals $31.7 billion. This amount is meant to help the agency achieve its mission: administration of justice and enforcement of the law. Like the 2020 fiscal year budget, the current budget is divided into five distinct categories; law enforcement 50%; prisons and detention 28.6%; litigation 12%; grants 5.55; and administration/technology and immigration 3.9% (Wallace, 2021). Out of the 31.7 billion, 942 million is to be used in reversing violent crimes and expanding surveillance, $639 million is to be used in combating mass violence, $122.6 million for the National Security Divisions and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), $143 million to combat illegal immigration and other related hearings, and $380 million to address the ongoing opioids crisis.

Implications of Foreign or Domestic Policy

The United States Department of Justice has been partnering with both domestic and foreign agencies in its attempts to effectively perform its duties. Some of the domestic agencies that the agency is partnering with include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Internal Revenue Service. The United States Department of Justice has also been partnering with major foreign agencies such as Digital Commonwealth, USAID, and Le Bibliotheque Nationale de France. Such partnerships directly affect the Department's overall budget as the United States Department of Justice is required to allocate more money to facilitate such partnerships.

In 202, the United States Department of Justice allocated $187 million for foreign partnerships. There is a huge possibility that this amount will increase in the near future as the agency is likely to partner with other foreign agencies. Therefore, the United States Department of Justice may be required to increase its allocation to ensure it accomplishes its partnership mission.

Budget Request and Recommendations

Looking at the department's fiscal budget demands, the agency is always requesting money to repay repaired or newly constructed structures. The most effective way that the United States Department of Justice can reduce spending is by heavily investing in ICT. Such a move would greatly help the agency in reducing unnecessary costs and at the same time increase its productivity. This is because the employment of ICT infrastructure will help the agency in offering virtual and remote working options for its employees (EKPENDU, 2021). Currently, the whole world is fighting against a global pandemic that has confined millions of people to their homes. Although the economy is gradually resuming its course, the future is unknown, especially with the outbreak of new variants. Therefore, investing in ICT would come in handy as it would ensure continuity in the department’s primary mission: administering justice and enforcement of the law.

Finally, the United States Department of Justice should seek to adopt a more electronic and less printing record rule. In today's world, almost everything is digital, from education to communication. Therefore, the agency needs to adopt an all-comprehensive electronic rule that will ensure the synchronization of past records and reports. Printing is relatively an expensive operation since a lot of resources are required for printing and maintenance; furthermore, it leads to a lot of paperwork.

References

EKPENDU, C. M. (2021). EMBRACING ICT AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN LEGAL EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE LAW AND LEGAL PHILOSOPHY (IJOCLLEP), 3(1).

Florence, C., Luo, F., & Rice, K. (2021). The economic burden of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose in the United States, 2017. Drug and alcohol dependence, 218, 108350.

Jennings, W. G., & Perez, N. M. (2020). The immediate impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement in the United States. American journal of criminal justice, 45, 690-701.

Wallace, M. (2021). COVID-19 in correctional and detention facilities—United States, February–April 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 69.

2