SWIFT BIRD STORY (FROM COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS INSTITUTE, 1978 - SEE NCJ-56514)

• NCJ Number: 56527
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Memphis State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE SWIFT BIRD PROJECT IN SOUTH DAKOTA, FUNDED BY LEAA, IS DETAILED IN TERMS OF GOALS AND STAFFING. ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A PRERELEASE CORRECTIONS FACILITY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION FOR INDIAN INMATES.

Abstract

THE FACILITY WAS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 1978 FOR THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE. ITS DEVELOPMENT IS REFERRED TO AS THE SWIFT BIRD PROJECT, AND IT WILL BE GOVERNED BY A FIVE-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. CHEYENNE INDIANS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STAFF OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND (NARF) FOR OVER 3 YEARS IN DEVELOPING THE PROJECT. THE IDEA FOR THE ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF INCARCERATION GREW OUT OF NARF'S WORK IN INDIAN CORRECTIONS AND HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY LEAA, THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE CORRECTIONS FIELD. EARLY LITIGATION ACTIVITIES OF NARF WERE UNDERTAKEN IN AN EFFORT TO SENSITIZE PENAL AUTHORITIES TO SPECIAL CULTURAL NEEDS OF INDIANS WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THEIR REHABILITATION. WHERE OFFICIALS WERE NOT SENSITIZED, NARF LITIGATION PROCEEDED TO TRIAL IN AN EFFORT TO OBTAIN JUDGMENTS REQUIRING SPECIAL TREATMENT TO MEET INDIAN NEEDS. TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A PRERELEASE CORRECTIONS FACILITY IN SOUTH DAKOTA, LEAA ALLOCATED $15,000 TO THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE. PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD COMPRISED OF CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS AND INDIAN PEOPLE FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE RETENTION OF CONSULTANTS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIAN MEDICINE MEN. GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REENTER THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AFTER RELEASE, TO RENOVATE AND USE FACILITIES THAT HAVE EITHER DETERIORATED OR ARE UNUSED, AND TO OFFER SERVICES AND SETTINGS INDICATIVE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS AND VALUES OF INDIAN OFFENDERS. IN ADDITION TO EMPLOYING A COMPETENT CORE STAFF, THE PROJECT INTENDS TO OFFER JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIAN RESERVATION RESIDENTS. (DEP)