Gov. Kim Reynolds | Facebook
Gov. Kim Reynolds | Facebook
The Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is issuing two new federal grants to provide criminal justice resources amid the COVID-19 crisis, according to Radio Iowa.
“It’s a new grant program and it's intending to address evolving needs from the evolving pandemic,” ODCP Director Dale Woolery told Radio Iowa. “In this case in Iowa we are applying these funds in particular to helping shore up response in the justice system.”
Twenty-six organizations will benefit from the $2.5 million that ODCP will provide. Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) will also fund upcoming projects.
Woolery said most of the funds will go toward technology-based initiatives and remote solutions like connections between jails and courtrooms, overseeing cases and possibly hospitals, a major need that has only spiked since social distancing guidelines have been set in place due to COVID-19.
“It’s a lot about logistics in situations or circumstances where we have to operate remotely. Like a lot of entities — those in the justice system are having to adapt as well,” Woolery told Radio Iowa.
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