2 full time correction officers would be hired to provide staffing levels that enhance the safety of the correction staff and inmates, allow for expedited processing of new arrestees, and provide a mo

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, the county of Grant will use its award in the amount of $259,230 to hire two full-time correctional officers. The Grant County Sheriff's Office will use the funds to improve the safety of its correctional staff and inmates, to expedite arrest processing, and to enhance court security. One correction officer will be assigned to a night crew to provide the increased capability to quickly process new arrestees, provide timelier classification and housing unit assignment, and increase maximum security inmate supervision. One correction officer will be assigned to a day crew to assist in the same duties as the night officer, and will also enhance inmate transport supervision by allowing for two accompanying officers, rather than a single officer, thereby increasing officer, inmate, and public safety.

CA/CF