Newton County Sheriff’s Office got the go ahead for three grants and a communications system to be used for various programs within the county.

NCSO, represented at Tuesday’s Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting by Sheriff Ezell Brown, received approval to apply for the FY14 SORNA Program Grant. Funds will go toward a sec offender registration notification system and will allow NCSO to buy two palm print scanners.

The scanners enable deputies to digitize fingerprints and palm prints while in the field. This is a reimbursement grant for up to $20,000.

Commissioners also approved an FY14 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for $29,443. There are no matching funds for this grant, which NCSO applied for earlier in the year and received notification of acceptance at the end of last month.

Funds will be used to buy equipment items for the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) unit.

The third grant approved by commissioners was FY14 State Criminal Assistance Program Grant, which reimburses the county $47,057 for jailing undocumented, illegal immigrants.

NCSO received approval of a Pay Tel Communications Agreement, which allows inmates to make phone calls. Brown said this system is of no cost to the county and even generates average revenue of about $3,000 a month. NCSO recently introduced a credit card system for inmates to make calls, which has made about $500 a month. All items were approved 4-0, with Commissioner Lanier Sims absent.