Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $539,306)
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 Northwest Regional Correction Board, in conjunction with the Tri-County Community Corrections Agency (TCCC), will enhance the current operations of the Northwest Regional Corrections Center (NRCC). The TCCC is a Community Corrections Act agency located in northwest Minnesota, and combines jail detention and probation services under one local umbrella. The multifaceted functions of the TCCC include: the operation of the NRCC, the 200 bed adult jail facility servicing Polk, Norman and Red Lake Counties; providing adult and juvenile probation supervision; conducting licensed jail chemical dependency treatment; supervising the Juvenile Detention Center; facilitating juvenile outpatient treatment programs; and maintaining Restorative Justice programming.
The funds will create a new Probation Agent position and hire two additional full-time Corrections Officers to improve the inmate classification and assessment process and provide positive recreational outlets. Funds will also create a position to facilitate cognitive behavioral programming and expand existing mental health services. The agency's familiarity with the implementation of evidence-based practices, its success in the creation of innovative programs such as the Adult Substance Abuse Program (a jail/probation outpatient chemical dependency treatment program), and the continuation of education programs and services will allow the goals of this project to be initiated quickly and efficiently.
CA/CF