Jail Operations Efficiency, Effectiveness and Collaboration

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, Josephine County will use its award to enhance its jail operations. The goal is to reduce crime associated with drug and alcohol use, as well as reduce recidivism of jail inmates whose criminal involvement is propelled by their drug/alcohol use, while increasing the timely flow of intelligence and information currently inaccessible. Funds will be used to hire a Drug and Alcohol Resource Deputy, who will increase inmates' access to drug and alcohol services prior to and post-release. The county will also hire a Corrections Analyst, who will access new and existing data sources to compile and analyze data for use in regular and ad hoc reports. Both positions for this project will form critical collaborative relationships with service providers and law enforcement agencies to increase the flow of intelligence and information.

CA/CF