Arizona Criminal Justice Commission—Commission Has Established Effective Grant-Awarding and Monitoring Processes, but Should Better Use Its Research Center

The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (Commission) was established in 1982 to carry out various coordinating, monitoring, and reporting functions regarding the administration and management of criminal justice programs in Arizona. We found that the Commission could better use the capabilities of its Statistical Analysis Center (research center) to fulfill its mission by providing a strategic approach for the research center, enhancing the research center’s work on current reports, and expanding its research activities. Additionally, the Commission has established effective grant-awarding and monitoring processes that closely align with state and federal requirements and incorporate recommended practices. Although the Commission followed these processes for the grants we reviewed, it should formalize the coordination of its victim assistance grants with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and other victim assistance stakeholders.