[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 25046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08938]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[OMB Number 1121-NEW]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection 
eComments Requested; New Collection; Generic Clearance for the 
Collection of Qualitative Data To Support National Institute of Justice 
Research and Assessment

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, 
will be submitting the following information collection request to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until 
June 27, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have additional comments 
especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, 
suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection 
instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact 
Benjamin Adams, Social Science Analyst, National Institute of Justice, 
810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531 (email: 
[email protected]; telephone: 202-616-3687).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments and suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of 
information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of 
the following four points:

--Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information shall have practical utility;
--Evaluate whether the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
on the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions that were used;
--Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information collected can be enhanced; and
--Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

    1. Type of Information Collection: New collection.
    2. The Title of the Form/Collection: Generic Clearance for the 
Collection of Qualitative Data to Support National Institute of Justice 
Research and Assessment.
    3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of 
the Department sponsoring the collection: Not applicable (new 
collection).
    4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Respondents/affected entities: Administrators 
or staff of state and local agencies or programs in the relevant 
fields; administrators or staff of non-government agencies or programs 
in the relevant fields; individuals; policymakers at various levels of 
government.
    Abstract: The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is requesting a 
generic clearance for the purpose of conducting qualitative research 
and assessment. NIJ's mission is to advance scientific research, 
development, and evaluation to enhance the administration of justice 
and public safety. The proposed information collection activities will 
enable NIJ to better understand emerging crime and justice issues 
pertinent to its research mission, inform the development of intramural 
and extramural research projects, and ensure relevant information is 
available for use in the planning, management, and assessment of NIJ 
research portfolios. NIJ anticipates using a variety of techniques 
including, but not limited to, individual in-depth interviews, semi-
structured small group discussions, focus groups, and questionnaires to 
reach these goals.
    NIJ will only submit a collection for approval under this generic 
clearance if the collections are voluntary; the collections are low 
burden for respondents and are low- or no-cost for both the respondents 
and the Federal Government; the collections are noncontroversial; 
personally identifiable information is collected only to the extent 
necessary and is not retained; information gathered will not be used 
for the purpose of substantially informing influential policy 
decisions; and information gathered will yield qualitative information.
    Following standard Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
requirements, NIJ will submit an individual request to OMB for every 
group of data collection activities undertaken under this generic 
clearance. NIJ will provide OMB with a copy of the individual 
instruments or questionnaires (if one is used), as well as other 
materials describing the project. Currently, NIJ anticipates the need 
to conduct qualitative research that will include the collection of 
information from law enforcement agencies, jails, prisons, and the 
state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
    5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated 
that approximately 2,500 respondents will be involved in the 
anticipated qualitative research over the 3-year clearance period. 
Specific estimates for the average response time are not known for the 
work covered under a generic clearance, however, an estimate of overall 
burden is included in item 6 below.
    6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The estimated public burden for identified and 
future projects covered under this generic clearance over the 3-year 
clearance period is approximately 3,000 hours.
    If additional information is required contact: Melody Braswell, 
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two 
Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 3E.405A, Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: April 22, 2022.
Melody Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2022-08938 Filed 4-26-22; 8:45 am]
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