INDIANS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 48720
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 317-323
• Author(s): F M STARR
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Assoc for the Prevention of Crime
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: SUMMARY OF PAPER PRESENTED AT THE CANADIAN CONGRESS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS, CALGARY, ALBERTA, JULY 1977

Annotation

THE BACKGROUND FOR THE INDIAN PROBATION PROJECT IN SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, IS PRESENTED; ISSUES ARISING FROM ITS IMPLEMENTATION ARE DISCUSSED; AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROPOSED.

Abstract

IN 1975, A PUBLIC STATEMENT WAS ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE FEDERATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INDIANS, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OF CANADA, AND THE SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ANNOUNCING THAT AN AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIAN PROBATION PROJECT, A 3-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT EMPLOYING INDIANS TO PROVIDE PROBATION SERVICES TO SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN BANDS. VARIOUS ISSUES AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE DISCUSSED. ON THE SUBJECT OF REALISTIC OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR INDIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROGRAMS, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH PROGRAMS SHOULD HAVE A TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM BASE, YET STILL BE DESIGNED TO MEET NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY THE INDIAN BANDS. IN DISCUSSION THE EXTENT THAT INDIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE PLANNED, DEVELOPED, AND IMPLEMENTED BY INDIANS, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL PHASES OF STAFFING AND PLANNING BE REPRESENTED BY LOCAL INDIAN PEOPLE. REGARDING INDIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES PROGRAMS EMPLOYING A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACH AS A BASIC METHOD OF SERVICE PROVISION, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THOSE INDIAN PROGRAMS PROVIDE TRADITIONAL SERVICES, WHILE THE FIELD STAFF PROVIDE MAXIMUM ENCOURAGEMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY INDIAN BANDS. THE QUESTION OF FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICES TO STATUS INDIANS VERSUS PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES TO STATUS INDIANS TO BE ADDRESSED WHEN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING INDIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROGRAMS CAN BE ANSWERED BY HAVING FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES AT THE PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL. THIS WOULD BRING TOGETHER INDIAN LEADERS AT A PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL TO DISCUSS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES, WHILE HAVING FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS ACT AS RESOURCE PEOPLE TO THE INDIAN LEADERS DURING THEIR DELIBERATIONS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF FUTURE INDIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROGRAMS WILL GENERALLY BE DEPENDENT ON THE ASSISTANCE OF INDIAN PEOPLE IN THE CLARIFICATION OF INDIAN JURISDICTION. (RCB)