DOJ Awards $2 Million to Louisiana: DNA Backlog Help for State Police, Reentry Support for 200 People
The Department of Justice announced on October 19 a total of $2 million in grants to Louisiana, in two awards of $1 million each, to clear the state police crime laboratory's DNA analysis backlog and to help people in reentry obtain treatment and transitional housing. The announcement was issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.
The first $1 million goes to the Louisiana State Police, whose crime laboratory will purchase and integrate key technology to speed DNA analysis turnaround and advance violent-crime cases. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall said DNA analysis is a critical tool for investigating and prosecuting crime and that investing to speed turnaround is a worthwhile investment.
The second $1 million goes to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to provide substance-use and mental-health treatment and transitional housing for people in reentry. The program aims to serve 200 participants in one or more parishes in the East Baton Rouge and/or greater New Orleans areas. Wall said providing resources to people in reentry is a proven method of reducing recidivism.
Both awards were made through the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs (OJP). (GSM, based on the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana release)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Baton Rouge 的路易斯安那州议会大厦。照片：Chrismiceli，CC0，经维基共享资源。Photo: The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. By Chrismiceli, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
