Supervisors OK Sheriff's Request to Seek Funding for Jail Program

RIVERSIDE - The Board of Supervisors today authorized Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff to apply for a $185,427 state grant that would enable the continuation of a substance abuse program for inmates at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

The sheriff will seek the funding from the California Board of State and Community Corrections.

According to sheriff's officials, a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program has been available, without charge, to male and female inmates at the Banning detention facility since October 1998.

''The program provides ... vital substance abuse treatment and is structured to reduce recidivism within the county jail system,'' according to a sheriff's document.

Personnel from the county Department of Mental Health, county Office of Education and Department of Probation take part in the effort.

The grant application specifies that the county make a matching contribution of 25 percent -- or $61,809 -- in support of the program.