Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $434,964)
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.
The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.
Under Category 3, Morgan County, along with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), will use the grant funds to hire six personnel to staff the new county detention center over two years. The funds will provide sufficient personnel to improve screening, assessment, and treatment services to inmates, as well as support housing assignments based on classification. These funds will allow MCSO to fully staff the new detention facility, which increases the safety of inmates and citizens, decreases the ratio of prisoners to corrections personnel, and provides new jobs. Funds will also purchase uniforms and equipment for new hires and pay costs associated with attending mandatory grant meetings.
CA/CF