U.S. Department of Justice Seal Strategic Plan 2001 - 2006

USDOJ Homepage Strategic Plan Homepage A Message from the Attorney General FY 1999 Annual Accountability Report FY 2000 Performance Report and FY 2002 Performance Plan
Table of Contents Introduction Chapter I Chapter II Goal One
Goal Two Goal Three Goal Four Goal Five Goal Six
Goal Seven Goal Eight External Factors Chapter III Appendix A
Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F

 

 

EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

A number of external factors could affect our ability to achieve our strategic goals and objectives. Obviously, the Department's ability to meet its goals could be significantly affected by more unpredictable events or emergencies that demand attention and skew priorities. They can also be affected by shifts in public attitudes towards crime and justice, by changing statutory responsibilities, technological advances, and a host of other elements.

These are summarized in the table that follows.

 

EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

External Factors

Goal 1
Counterterrorism

Goal 2
Enforcement

Goal 3
Assistance

Goal 4
Legal Representation

Goal 5
Immigration

Goal 6
Detention and Incaration

Goal 7
Federal Justice System

Goal 8
Organization Excellence

Technology                
Advances in high-speed telecommunications, computers and other technologies are creating new opportunities for criminals, new classes of crimes, and new challenges for law enforcement.

X

X

X

X

      

X

Growing dependence on technology is creating an increasing vulnerability to illegal acts, especially white collar crimes and terrorism.

X

X

X

X

        
                 
Economy                
Strength of U.S. economy and need for workers are incentives for legal/illegal migration.        

X

      
Possible increases in consumer debt will affect bankruptcy filings.  

X

        

X

  
Deregulation, economic growth, and globalization are changing the volume and nature of anti-competitive behavior.  

X

  

X

        
The interconnected nature of the world's economy is increasing opportunities for criminal activity, including money laundering, white collar crime and alien smuggling.

X

X

X

X

X

      
The interconnected nature of the world's economy is also increasing the complexity and scope of civil justice matters.      

X

        
The strong U.S. labor market may make it difficult for the Department to attract/retain workers with the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.              

X

                 
Government                
Changes in the fiscal posture or policies of state and local governments could have dramatic effects on the capacity of state and local governments to remain effective law enforcement partners.  

X

X

  

X

      
Relatedly, the ability and willingness of state and local governments to allow federal use of their jail space affects achievement of detention goals.          

X

    
                 
Globalization                
Issues of criminal and civil justice increasingly transcend national boundaries, require the cooperation of foreign governments, and involve treaty obligations, multinational environmental and trade agreements and other foreign policy concerns.

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

  
Political unrest or economic turmoil in other countries provide increased migration pressures.

X

      

X

      
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of newly democratic states in central and eastern Europe has made these countries increasingly susceptible to drug and arms trafficking, organized criminal groups, and other illegal activities that impact on the U.S.

X

X

X

  

X

      
Foreign political movements, whether state-sponsored or the work of particular groups or individuals, may use terror to achieve their aims and target U.S. persons or interests at home or abroad.

X

X

            
                 
Social-Demographic Factors                
The level of criminal activity is influenced by societal attitudes toward the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol.  

X

X

    

X

    
The numbers of adolescents and young adults, now the most crime-prone segment of the population, are expected to grow rapidly over the next several years.  

X

X

          
The United States is an increasingly multi-cultural and multi-racial society. The extent to which societal attitudes and practices reflect a continuing commitment to tolerance, diversity, and equality affects the scope and nature of our work.

X

  

X

X

X

      
Demographic and cultural changes make ensuring a diverse and representative the Department workforce a more challenging and essential task.              

X

Achieving our goals depends on strong institutions - - families, schools, churches, neighborhood groups, and others - - that inspire trust, build community, promote civic and individual responsibility and help secure voluntary compliance with the rule of law.  

X

X

X

X

X

X

  
                 
The Unpredictable                
The Department is required to respond to emergency or special situations - - whether a terrorist incident, sudden influx of persons seeking asylum, a computer attack, a high-profile court proceeding, a school shooting, or some other event that strains our time, attention and resources.

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

  
Changes in federal laws may affect our responsibilities and workload.

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

  
Much of the Department's litigation caseload is defensive. The Department has little control over the number, size and complexity of the civil lawsuits it must defend.      

X

        

 

FY 2001 -- 2006 Strategic Plan
U.S. Department of Justice

 

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