Tom Bringle and Terry Edwards of the Labette Correctional Consevation Camp were given permission at Monday’s county commission meeting, to seek a two-year grant from the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
The President signed into law the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The Federal Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds will be used to hire and retain criminal justice personnel, as well as supporting other strategies that create and preserve jobs and promote economic growth by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes and procedures.
“It is a ray of light,” Commissioner Brian Kinzie said. The 100 percent grant is no match to the county and is due in by June 16. The grant will be awarded by the end of June. The administrator and commissioners are in hope that this federal economic recovery grant money will help pay for programming.
After the two years, if the state has regained funding money, maybe the LCCC could reopen.
The camp is set to close by June 30.
The three commissioners would like to meet with Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary, at Topeka and discuss plans on the closing activities such as what to do with files, records, etc. “There are several questions we need to ask,” Commissioner Lonie Addis said. He will get with Werholtz and set up a time.
Bringle said the last inmate graduation will be May 19 and the last week will be wrapping things up. The Commissioners approved for Bringle to create a cash account for the 70 inmates dispersal, following graduation. “We would like to have the books closed as soon as possible, and not wait for checks to drift back in, if ever,” Bringle said. By using cash and signing off on the accounts, it will eliminate that process.