It is the purpose of this subchapter to establish a National Institute of Justice, which shall provide for and encourage research and demonstration efforts for the purpose of—

(1) improving Federal, State, and local criminal justice systems and related aspects of the civil justice system;

(2) preventing and reducing crimes;

(3) insuring citizen access to appropriate dispute-resolution forums; and

(4) identifying programs of proven effectiveness, programs having a record of proven success, or programs which offer a high probability of improving the functioning of the criminal justice system.

(Pub. L. 90–351, title I, § 201, as added Pub. L. 96–157, § 2, Dec. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 1172; amended Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 604(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2078.)