NCJ Number
244155
Date Published
November 2013
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This presentation describes the work of the Indian Law & Order Commission in its efforts to improve public safety in Native American communities.
Abstract
This presentation by the Chairman of the Indian Law & Order Commission, describes the efforts of the Commission to improve the public safety in Native American communities. The Commission was created following passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 to provide advice to the President and the U.S. Congress on Federal, State, and Tribal reforms aimed at strengthening criminal justice among U.S. Indian Tribes and Nations. The Commission has developed a report, known at The Roadmap, which contains 40 recommendations aimed at improving the safety of Native Americans. Two main findings resulted from the Commission's work: the Federal Government is primarily responsible for the current lack of public safety in Indian country due to outmoded laws, policies, and institutions; and whereas non-Indian communities rely on locally and regionally based criminal justice systems, Native American communities must rely strictly on the Federal criminal justice system. Recommendations for improving public safety in Native American communities include reinforcing the power of locally-based Tribal criminal justice systems; allowing Tribes to exit the Federal criminal justice system entirely; amending the Indian Civil Rights Act to permit Tribal governments to define their own criminal laws and sentences; recognize and expand Indian country in Alaska to support Tribal concurrent jurisdiction; and respect Tribal court orders and encourage locally-based criminal justice systems. Additional recommendations deal with strengthening Tribal justice, improving intergovernmental cooperation, improve detention programs, and improve the juvenile justice system in Tribal communities.