NCJ Number
209175
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 67 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 64-67
Date Published
February 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article presents a brief overview of the state of American Indian jails across the United States after a U.S. Department of the Interior investigation and the response from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to improve conditions in American Indian Jails.
Abstract
Indian offenders who have committed crimes and have been sentenced under tribal law are placed under the jurisdiction and custody of the individual tribes. These Indian inmates are housed in facilities operated by either the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or the tribal government. In 2003, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) inspector general began an assessment of Indian jails due to a concern that Indian jails were crowded and in poor condition. The investigation found that Indian jails were poorly staffed, poorly managed, inadequately funded, and physically unsafe for inmates and staff. This analysis examines the history of the country’s Indian jails and their current condition as outlined in the DOI’s investigative report. It begins with a description of the investigation followed by discussions on findings which include: the lack of secure and safe facilities; the lack of personnel training; and the lack of fiscal management by BIA. The analysis concludes with BIA’s response and objectives for a strategic plan, focusing on the improvement of Indian jails. 6 Endnotes