MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $12,000 grant to continue a court program in Madison County for military veterans who have committed non-violent crimes.

While the court program may not waive punishment for the offenses, such as drug abuse and misdemeanor crimes, it does recognize that the offenses may have been committed in part as result of post-traumatic stress disorder or mental illness brought on by experiences during their service in the military.

“Our veterans have sacrificed and endured so much to provide us with the liberties we have today,” Gov. Ivey said. “As a society, we owe these veterans a debt of gratitude that should extend long after they have stepped out of their uniform. I am hopeful that this program will assist them to get their lives back on track.”

The program enables court officials to examine the case and evaluate the veteran who has committed the offense, then determine a positive solution whether it be drug counseling, mental health treatment and follow-up monitoring to prevent recurring offenses.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice.

“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of this endeavor to help veterans receive the assistance they need to turn their lives around,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

Gov. Ivey notified Dale Strong, chairman of the Madison County Commission, that the grant had been approved. Madison County is the fiscal agent for the grant.

ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.

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Contact Jim Plott or Mike Presley