Dateline: 11/08/01

As a result of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft today ordered a major refocus and restructuring of the Department of Justice.

In a two memorandums, (No. 1 - No. 2) Ashcroft directs Justice Department agencies to switch from a primary operating mode of "reactive investigation and prosecution," to "proactive prevention and disruption."

"We cannot wait for terrorists to strike to begin investigations and make arrests. We must prevent first and prosecute second," states the Attorney General.

Ashcroft then orders Justice Department agencies to take immediate action in three main areas:

• Information sharing - All agencies are ordered to fully and freely share existing information or information to be gathered under the USA Patriot Act of 2001 pertaining to terrorist activities or threats.
• Information Analysis - All agencies are ordered to assess and, wherever possible, improve their intelligence analysis capacity.
• Coordination - All agencies are ordered to coordinate their efforts to prevent terrorism with all Justice Department agencies and with all related agencies within the Federal government. Further, all information affecting state and local jurisdictions should be coordinated with the appropriate officials.

The Attorney General and the Strategic Management Council (SMC) of the Justice Department also developed and announced 10 goals intended to strengthen the government's ability to prevent and deal with terrorism:

GOAL 1: Develop Performance-Based, Mission-Focused Leadership

• Revise the Department of Justice Performance Plan to include clear, consistent performance measures that support the Department's Strategic Plan of long-term goals and objectives.
• Link individual performance reviews to the performance of organization units and components.

GOAL 2: Streamline, Eliminate or Consolidate Duplicative Functions

• Develop plan to consolidate duplicative functions within the Department.
• Streamline Departmental processes, as appropriate, to eliminate inefficiencies.
• Achieve 10% budget savings to be realigned to support counterterrorism mission.

GOAL 3: Focus Resources on Front-Line Positions

• Reallocate caseload and field positions consistent with the Department's mission.
• Transfer 10-percent of current headquarters positions to front lines to support the Department's long-term goals and objectives reflected in the Strategic Plan.

GOAL 4: Reform the FBI

• Complete the FBI review currently underway, prioritizing the FBI's counterterrorism mission.
• Implement recommended reforms of the Strategic Management Council, upon approval by the Attorney General.

GOAL 5: Restructure the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

• Consistent with the President's objective, restructure the INS to separate enforcement and service functions, reduce backlog in application processing, and improve effectiveness and accountability.
• Strengthen INS border security and interior enforcement.
• Restructure the EOIR and streamline its processes to improve its organizational effectiveness and eliminate all case backlog.

GOAL 6: Restructure the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Reform Grant Management

• Restructure the OJP to flatten its organizational structure and improve its operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement a uniform grant application and improve the accountability, reliability and efficiency of the grant system.
• Improve the accessibility of information by, and the service to, state and local law enforcement, crime victims and other constituencies.

GOAL 7: Coordinate Internal and External Communications and Outreach

• Expand outreach to state and local law enforcement agencies to improve information sharing and operational cooperation.
• Improve coordination and facilitate the information flow to and from U.S. Attorney's offices.

GOAL 8: Improve Department-Wide Financial Performance

• Improve performance by all components to achieve unqualified opinions and eliminate material weaknesses.
• Implement a uniform financial system.

GOAL 9: Strengthen Hiring, Training And Diversity Policies

• Develop consistent, Department-wide hiring policy.
• Coordinate training efforts to elevate and maximize employee's skill and performance.
• Strengthen policies to attract a highly qualified, diverse workforce.

GOAL 10: Utilize Technology to Improve Government

• Develop a comprehensive information technology plan to support strategic goals and improve information management.
• Develop and implement a service plan that is citizen-centered, and includes appropriate online citizen accessibility.

"Our service men and women are risking their lives to battle the enemy overseas," states Attorney General Ashcroft. "It falls to the men and women of justice and law enforcement to lead America in fighting terrorism at home."