Which federal justice grants should Rhode Island apply for? Take this survey by April 30

The deadline has been extended for a survey administered by the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety to gather public input to inform a comprehensive statewide strategic plan for the state’s criminal justice system.

A total of 309 responses to the Rhode Island Public Safety Planning Survey had been recorded as of 4 p.m. Monday, said Michael Hogan, executive director of the Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration Office. The survey opened on March 12 and was supposed to close Sunday night but will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. 

Any Rhode Islander who has interacted with the justice system is encouraged to complete the anonymous online survey, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Feedback is sought from offenders; victims of crime or violence; people employed in law enforcement, corrections and the courts; or individuals who have received services such as treatment for substance use or mental health disorders, transitional housing, or youth diversion programs.

Hogan said he hopes the two-week extension for taking the survey will lead to more responses that will help guide decisions by his office in choosing which federal grant opportunities to pursue. In particular, he hopes to hear from more community-based organizations from across the state.

“It’s directing where the money’s going to go,” Hogan said. “It’s directing what kind of priorities I should be pursuing for competitive funding opportunities for the state.”

The last time the state conducted such a survey was in 2009, Hogan said. His goal is to increase the frequency of soliciting public feedback and community outreach efforts to strengthen the state’s grant applications.

“In the past, all the input was coming from law enforcement and corrections so the money went to priorities for law enforcement and corrections,” Hogan said. “If the responses are, ‘You need to do more to protect survivors of domestic violence,’ then that’s where I can point the money. If it comes back and says we should be pursuing more money for social workers to ride with police officers, then I will gladly go do that.”

The survey is available in both English and Spanish at the Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration Office website. Individuals may also request a paper survey by calling (401) 764-5991.