NCJ Number
56722
Date Published
1977
Length
14 pages
Annotation
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR A NEW MEXICO INDIAN RESERVATION ARE DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.
Abstract
THE LAGUNA PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO INDIAN RESERVATION, WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 6,000 HAS DEVELOPED, WITH FUNDING HELP FROM LEAA, ITS OWN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REHABILITATION SYSTEMS. THE AIM IS TO DEVELOP LAW ENFORCEMENT STYLES AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR RESERVATION RESIDENTS. THE RESERVATION HAS DEVELOPED ITS OWN TRAFFIC CODE, ENFORCED BY A POLICE DEPARTMENT OF 20 OFFICERS. LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING IS ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE MINIMAL, WITH TRAINING IN COMMUNITY SERVICES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND CRIME PREVENTION NEEDING TO BE INCREASED. THERE IS A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 65 INMATES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE LAGUNA REHABILITATION CENTER ON THE RESERVATION. A WORK RELEASE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, AND INMATE COUNSELING HAS JUST BEEN INITIATED. A SCHOOL FOR DRIVERS CONVICTED OF DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED HAS ALSO BEEN DEVELOPED. A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS TAKES CLIENTS ON AN 18-DAY GROUP WILDERNESS TREK WITH MINIMAL RESOURCES DESIGNED TO DEVELOP RATIONAL, COOPERATIVE, AND SELF-RELIANT BEHAVIOR UNDER THE STRESS OF SURVIVAL. IT IS HOPED THAT THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE ORDEAL WILL REENTER SOCIETY WITH A NEW CONFIDENCE IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR ABILITY TO COPE RATIONALLY WITH STRESS SITUATIONS. SOCIALIZING SKILLS IN THE CONTEXT OF WORK AND PLANNING ARE ALSO DEVELOPED. PERSONS ENTERING THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THEIR SUITABILITY FOR IT, AND THE CLIENT ENTERS INTO A VOLUNTARY CONTRACT TO PARTICIPATE IN LIEU OF PROSECUTION. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT NORMAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSING WILL BE RESUMED IF THE CLIENT DOES NOT FULFILL THE CONTRACT. A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF DIVERSIONARY, NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS IS INCLUDED. (RCB)