Justice funds awarded to state, 8 counties

WASHINGTON – The state and 8 counties together will get $290,227 in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to provide compensation for costs associated with the incarceration of undocumented, criminal aliens, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins.

“Increased security and staffing along Maine’s border with Canada has placed a considerable financial burden on our state’s justice system,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “This funding will help insulate Maine’s border communities by compensating them for the costs associated with the incarceration of criminal aliens.”

Funding announced today includes:

. Androscoggin County – $14,448

. Aroostook County – $16,782

. Hancock County – $3,140

. Kennebec County – $642

. Piscataquis County – $1930

. Waldo County – $8,218

. York County – $20,757

. Cumberland County – $57,403

. State of Maine – $166,907

The grants are awarded by the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance that provides leadership and assistance in support of local criminal justice strategies to achieve safe communities. BJA’s overall goals are to reduce and prevent crime, violence, and drug abuse and improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.