Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel asked the Marshall County Council members Monday morning for permission to seek a grant to help pay for a new Jail Addictions Program.
Hassel said the grant is through the Indiana Attorney General’s Office in the amount of $90,000.
“The program really covers a variety,” said Sheriff Hassel. “It covers how to write a resume, how to apply for a job – it covers a lot more things than just working on their addiction.”
Hassel noted that he submitted a job description for a Jail Program Director and he hopes that part of this grant, or all of it, can be used toward the salary of the person hired to fill the position. He commented that he is expected to meet with the grant officials to talk more about the specifics of the grant. The sheriff is anticipated to be before the commissioners to ask permission to apply for the grant next week.
In the job description, Hassel included a counseling license so that person can be with inmates for individual counseling. He anticipates that this person can replace services by the Bowen Center and save the cost of that contract. While the Bowen Center offers great programs to the inmates, Hassel said the Jail Program Director can provide more time with the inmates.
Hassel commented, “They’re only here two days a week. They’re with the girls one day and the boys one day. It’s like a two hour stay, but it costs $75.00 an hour for them to be there.”
The grant application request was approved with a unanimous vote.
The job description will be reviewed by the subcommittee and an amendment to the salary ordinance would need to be considered by the county council.
In the meantime, the sheriff advertised for an additional appropriation request for $60,000 for the position, which the council tabled until the job description is approved with a recommendation and when more information is obtained about the grant application.
