FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, (803) 896-8755

(Columbia) – Gov. Jim Hodges announced grants to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to treat drug and alcohol-dependent offenders. These Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Program grants will provide addictions treatment to offenders before they return to the community.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety's Office of Justice Programs will administer this grant program on behalf of the Governor's Office.

"Many of the offenders in our prisons have drug problems and are in need of help," Hodges said. "These programs will help rehabilitate them so that they can become functional members of society when they are released from prison. Drug treatment can break their cycle of crime and prison."

These grants are funded through the $1,037,673 awarded to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice RSAT Program. Under federal guidelines, agencies may use these funds for such purposes as hiring correctional officers and teachers, contractual residential treatment services, purchasing equipment, staff training and administrative expenses. The following received grants:

South Carolina Department of Corrections (Turbeville): $679,705

South Carolina Department of Corrections (Leath): $335,843

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124/OJP/SG/2001

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