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Missoula Co. picks up grant to address jail over-incarceration
MTN News file
By: MTN News
and last updated 2021-05-04 13:01:28-04
MISSOULA â Missoula County has once again received a grant to help continue efforts to reduce the number of inmates at the Missoula jail while also addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the local justice system.
The Missoula County Community Justice Department recently received a second two-year $700,000 grant through the MacArthur Foundationâs Safety and Justice Challenge.
The money will help expand current initiatives launched in 2018 when Missoula County was first awarded a Safety and Justice Challenge grant.
âThis grant allows Missoula County the ability to make headway in many areas including criminal justice reform, equity, public safety and the efficient use of public funds,â Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick said.
Grant to Address Racial Inequities in Missoula County Jail
The Missoula County Community Justice Department recently received a second two-year $700,000 grant through the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge.
The grant is to help support strategies to safely reduce the county detention facility population while addressing racial and ethnic disparities in Missoula’s justice system.
Shantelle Gaynor, Director of the Missoula County Community Justice Department has details.
“The reason for the funding is to implement strategies to reduce overcrowding in the jail,” said Gaynor. “This is the second cycle that Missoula County has received this grant. The first one ran for two years, and this one will run for an additional two years. The Safety and Justice Challenge focuses on how to safely reduce jail populations, as well as address racial and ethnic disparities within the justice system.”
The city says these grants are more than a one time investment. The organizations will join a network that works with the city to provide training, networking and engagement opportunities. From the beginning of our administration, we have worked to end mass incarceration and address systemic racism that causes significant harm to our Black and Brown communities, Mayor Jim Kenney said in a press release. These grants double down on our commitment to bringing about just and safe reform.
Kenney announced the news at the city s biweekly briefings on gun violence and solutions, which convenes in light of the city s gun violence epidemic. Homicides are up 33% from last year, and shootings are up 37%. Domestic violence-related homicides have doubled since last year, according to Philadelphia police data.
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