Operation: "Screening for Success"

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, Montezuma County will use its award to create four positions at the Montezuma County Detention Center. Funds will hire a full-time nurse, bringing the total to two nurses. This will allow both nurses to split the around-the-clock medical coverage needed for in-depth medical screenings and assessments of inmates. Funds will also create a Screening Program Manager, who will evaluate the available community programs that will meet the needs of the inmates. The Screening Program Manager will coordinate the appropriate programs that would best benefit the inmates in several categories: mental health, alcohol, drugs, and spiritual programs for the diverse inmate population. The grant will also add two additional detention deputies to assist in the physical booking and release of inmates.

CA/CF