Martin County Jail Operations and Program Enhancement Project

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 III, Martin County, through the sheriff's office, will hire correctional officers and enhance operations at the county jail. The two correctional officers to be hired will fill positions left vacant for the past six months, and will maintain jail licensing standards and essential services, as well as increase the number of nursing service hours available. The additional staff will also make it possible for Martin County Jail to continue conducting up to 50 random drug tests per week on behalf of community supervision programs, such as adult probation and drug court.

CA/CF