Congressman Thompson Announced $614,643 in U. S. Department of Justice Funds

BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Justice has awarded $614,643 in grant funds through the Office of Justice Program to Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

The State of Mississippi Division of Public Safety Planning (DPSP) is coordinating with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) and Bolivar County Correction Facility (BCRCF) in an effort to provide inmates the opportunity to receive substance abuse treatment separate from the general prison population. The Mississippi Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT) has already been established at these facilities, and funding from this grant will help keep the programs in operation. The overall goal of this project is to improve the quality of life for the inmates by providing them with meaningful substance abuse treatment. This will be accomplished in part by providing alcohol, drug, and pre-release counseling to RSAT program participants; providing life skills, employability skills training, and adult literacy in the workplace; and providing job search assistance to participants upon completion of the program.