Category IIIEnhancing Rural Corrections, Detention, and Jail Operations.

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, Pacific County will use its award to enhance jail operations. The goals are to: reduce delays during court proceedings (i.e., arraignments, probable cause hearings, and trials); reduce employee regular and mandatory overtime; reduce delays in fingerprinting of sex offenders, firearm permits, and background fingerprinting for employers; and assist with smoother jail functions. The county will use its funds to hire and train two corrections officers and strategically place them in positions that will minimize overtime, delays in bookings, court proceedings, and delays in transports.

CA/CF