WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Laurie O. Robinson was sworn in today as Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

"Laurie's commitment, leadership, experience, and knowledge of criminal justice issues will ensure that the Department of Justice works in partnership with the justice community to develop innovative, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce crime," Attorney General Holder said. "I look forward to once again working with Laurie."

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART).

Ms. Robinson, who was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 5, 2009, previously served as the Assistant Attorney General of OJP from 1993 to February, 2000. Since 2004, Ms. Robinson has been the director of the Master of Science Program in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Criminology. Also, since 2001, she has served as a Distinguished Senior Scholar in the University's Jerry Lee Center of Criminology, and as Executive Director of its Forum on Crime and Justice.

She has published numerous articles in criminal justice and legal periodicals, and has spoken at hundreds of criminal justice-related conferences and forums. Ms. Robinson is a magna cum laude graduate of Brown University and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice