NCJ Number
61918
Date Published
1978
Length
89 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE GOALS, ORGANIZATION, AND PROGRAMS OF THE CHEYENNE RIVER SWIFT BIRD PROGRAM, AN ALTERNATIVE CORRECTIONS CENTER FOR INDIAN OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE IN SOUTH DAKOTA INITIATED THE PROJECT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM LEAA AND THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A REHABILITATION PROGRAM THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH INDIAN CULTURE AND THUS COULD ASSIST INDIAN OFFENDERS TO REINTEGRATE SUCCESSFULLY INTO THE COMMUNITIES. THE TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD FELT SWIFT BIRD WOULD BE AN ASSET TO THE SIOUX TRIBE, A MODEL CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM FOR INDIANS, AND AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER TRIBES. THE CHARTER, STRUCTURE, AND POWERS OF THE PROJECT WERE CODIFIED UNDER A 1977 ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBAL COUNCIL. THE BOARD ESTABLISHED SEVERAL GUIDING CONCEPTS FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING COST EFFICIENCY, INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT, AND PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. RESEARCH INDICATED THAT CERTAIN TRADITIONAL INDIAN VALUES AND STRUCTURES SHOULD BE INCORPORATED: RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS, KNOWLEDGE OF TRIBAL RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, RESPECT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL'S PROPER ROLE IN SOCIETY, AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES, WHICH DEFINE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRIBAL MEMBERS. SWIFT BIRD OFFERS THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TO ENABLE OFFENDERS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF DAILY LIFE, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO EXPOSE RESIDENTS TO THE INDIAN HERITAGE, VOLUNTARY SPIRITUAL EDUCATION, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND WORK RELEASE. THE PROJECT ALSO MAINTAINS A LEGAL STAFF, PROVIDES FOLLOWUP SERVICES FOR RELEASED RESIDENTS, AND HAS DEVELOPED STRONG TIES WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. CONTRACTS WITH SIX CORRECTIONS AGENCIES PERMIT INMATES TO TRANSFER VOLUNTARILY TO SWIFT BIRD IF THEY MEET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. ONLY MALES ARE ACCEPTED, AND THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY IS 70 RESIDENTS WHO STAY FROM 3 TO 12 MONTHS. RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC RULES, MAINTAIN THE ORDER OF THE FACILITY, AND DEVELOP SELF-DISCIPLINE. A DETAILED CONTRACT IS DEVELOPED GRADUALLY BETWEEN THE RESIDENT AND THE PROJECT. AN ABANDONED JOB CORPS CENTER IS BEING CONVERTED INTO THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. CANDIDATES FOR THE STAFF MUST MEET PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND BE WILLING TO WORK IN A MULTITRIBE SETTING: MEMBERS OF THE CHEYENNE RIVER TRIBE ARE GIVEN PREFERENCE. CONSIDERABLE STAFF EFFORT HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK, AND HIGH PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO ASSESSING PROGRAM EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY. (MJM)