NCJ Number
148217
Date Published
1992
Length
305 pages
Annotation
This report describes the extent to which Alaskan native tribes and organizations are in compliance with three major requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act: deinstitutionalization, separation, and jail removal.
Abstract
To examine government functions administered by Indian tribes and Alaskan native villages with respect to juveniles under their jurisdiction, data were obtained from various sources relevant to tribal juvenile justice. A mail questionnaire was sent to all federally recognized tribes, pueblos, and villages, and individual and group interviews were conducted with key leaders. According to U.S. Census data, 266,171 Indians under 18 years of age lived on reservations or tribal trust lands in 1990; 74 percent resided in tribes and villages participating in the study. Among the 19,242 Alaskan native juveniles, 32 percent lived in villages participating in the study. Study results showed that many tribes need technical assistance and Federal funding to develop data systems for courts and youth-serving agencies. Tribal courts represent an important part of tribal juvenile justice systems. Existing courts vary in size, funding, and procedures, and tribal legal codes guide the practice of courts in handling juvenile cases and determining the framework within which youth and family rights are protected. The study identifies weaknesses and strengths of tribal juvenile justice systems, notes the complex legal environment in which such systems operate, and discusses the role of Federal funding. Model programs operated for tribal youth and their families are described, and recommendations to improve the operation of tribal juvenile justice systems are offered. Appendixes contain the study instruments, an analysis of enabling legislation, and intergovernmental agreements. References, endnotes, and tables