(a) The commissioner may make grants of funds to municipal corporations and counties for establishing, constructing, and operating local jails and correctional institutions. Any such grant shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, state payments made pursuant to Code Section 42-5-51 and Code Section 42-5-53. The commissioner shall make such grants where the recipient, sum, and purpose have been specified by appropriation. From funds generally available for such grants, but when such funds are available without specification other than general purpose, the commissioner shall allocate such funds according to criteria established by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, overpopulation, innovativeness, efficiency, multigovernment involvement, and readiness.

(b) Pursuant to Article VII, Section III, Paragraph III of the Constitution and as otherwise may be authorized, all grants similar to grants provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section made by the department before March 15, 1988, are ratified, confirmed, and approved.