Baltimore, MD – The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP) has awarded $478,842 in federal funding to thirteen jurisdictions to replace aging computers, security equipment and make other improvements in local jails and detention centers. The upgrades allow detention centers to increase safety, update officer training procedures and provide better programs for inmates.

“These grants allow jurisdictions to make efficient use of their local tax dollars,” said Christopher B. Shank, Executive Director of GOCCP.  “It’s a win-win situation for everyone: the jail and detention centers get the hardware, software and other tools they need, and local jurisdictions have more cash in their budgets to spend on other community needs.”

“Technology moves quickly, and we have an obligation to ensure our local jails and detention centers are kept up to date,” said Lt. Daniel Lasher, the President of the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association and the Operational Director of the Allegany County Detention Center. “You don’t want to be negligent because there’s technology out there that you have not taken advantage of.”

The grants pay for such things as iPads and monitors used for training, computers for officer stations and rugged cases that protect computers used in cruisers, as well as keyboards, wireless extensions, cables and adapters and security cameras, depending on the needs of a specific jurisdiction. The funding is provided through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants program, a federal grant program that supports a broad range of state and local criminal justice initiatives.

The agencies receiving grant funding are listed below.

Anne Arundel County Dept. of Detention Facilities: $40,240

Allegany County Detention Center: $31,271

Baltimore County Department of Corrections: $69,392

Charles County Sheriff’s Office: $48,819

Frederick County Detention Center: $50,000

Garret County Jail/Detention Center: $19,162

Howard County Department of Corrections: $21,992

Montgomery County Department of Corrections:  $30,000

Prince George’s County Department of Corrections: $50,640

St. Mary’s County Detention Center: $27,047

Talbot County Detention Center: $35,488

Washington County Detention Center: $23,791

Wicomico County Department of Corrections: $31,000

TOTAL $478,842