Gov. Jim Justice announced last week that he has awarded $1,204,534 in Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funds to thirty-nine (39) projects statewide. These funds will be used to assist state agencies, local units of government, and private non-profit agencies in carrying out specific programs that offer a high probability of improving the functioning of the criminal justice system.
Special emphasis was placed on multi-jurisdictional projects and statewide projects that seek to create and/or retain jobs in the criminal justice system in West Virginia.
“These grant funds will open up more possibilities for the incredible men and women working in our justice system,” Gov. Justice said. “I’m incredibly proud to award this funding. I’ve always said we always need to do everything in our power to help make our criminal justice system better and better, and that’s exactly what this funding does.”
These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance and are administered by the Justice and Community Services (JCS) Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services (DAS).
Area projects include:
Clay County Commission – $25,000.
These funds will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model, and advocate for students at Clay County schools. The officer(s) will provide course instruction on topics such as drug and alcohol awareness, social skills, and conflict resolution.
Statewide projects include:
West Virginia State Police – $219,284
These funds will provide for officer salaries to continue a statewide multi-jurisdictional drug and violent crime task force.
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia – $45,000
These funds will be utilized to support the WVSCA/WVDCR Collaborative Video Conferencing Project.
