BJS assessment and suspension of arrest-related death (ARD) data collection
| Tracking # |
15-00262 |
| Submitted | May 14, 2015 |
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Communications
From: Shawn Musgrave
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
-Documents summarizing the result of the assessment BJS conducted of the validity and reliability of data reported via the Arrest-Related Death (ARD) program.
-The memo or other document that suspended the collection and publication of ARD data.
-Any program documents regarding the resumption of the ARD or other annual census of arrest-related deaths nationwide.
Per the description of the program posted on the BJS website (see http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=82):
"BJS implemented the ARD program to comply with requirements set forth in the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-297), which required the collection of data on deaths that occurred in the process of arrest, during transfer, or while detained in jail or prison. BJS began quarterly data collections to cover all inmate deaths in local jails (2000), state prisons (2001), and juvenile correctional facilities (2002) under the umbrella of the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP). In 2003, BJS expanded the DCRP to include a data collection program on arrest-related deaths.
BJS implemented a state-based ARD reporting system in which State Reporting Coordinators (SRCs) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are responsible for identifying and reporting all eligible cases of arrest-related deaths to BJS. Following the publication of Arrest-Related Deaths, 2003-2009 – Statistical Tables, BJS conducted an assessment of the validity and reliability of the ARD data. Results of the assessment indicate the ARD program methodology did not sufficiently identify a census of arrest-related deaths and that the data collection likely did not capture all reportable deaths in the process of arrest. Therefore, BJS determined that the ARD data did not meet BJS data quality standards, and in March 2014, BJS suspended data collection and publication of the ARD data until further notice."
Given that this FOIA is submitted in my capacity as a journalist, I request that I be categorized as a media requester for the purpose of fees. Here is a selection of my published articles on MuckRock:
I have also been published in a number of other national media outlets:
http://motherboard.vice.com/read/do-the-fbis-drones-invade-your-privacy-sorry-thats-private
http://motherboard.vice.com/read/do-the-fbis-drones-invade-your-privacy-sorry-thats-private
As the requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com and pertains to a matter of considerable public interest, I further request a full waiver of all fees.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Shawn Musgrave
From: FOIAOJP
Mr. Musgrave:
Your request has been received in the Office of the General Counsel for processing pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
Thank you
FOIAOJP
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~WRD000
From: Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
An interim response, stating the request has been delayed
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 14, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #15-00262.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 14, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #15-00262.
Thank you for your help.
From: FOIAOJP
This is in response to your inquiry regarding FOIA request # 15-00262. The request is being processed and a response should be forth coming soon.
Thank You
Monica Potter-Johnson
Government Information Specialist
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~WRD000
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 14, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #15-00262.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 14, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #15-00262.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 14, 2015. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #15-00262.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Potter-Johnson, Monica L. (OJP)
Please see the attached.
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