RURAL AND CITY INDIANS IN MINNESOTA PRISONS

• NCJ Number: 58707
• Author(s): R G WOODS; A M HARKINS
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 49 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: University of Minnesota
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

USING DATA ON COURT COMMITMENTS FROM 1967 TO 1968, THE STUDY DESCRIBES INDIAN OFFENDERS IN MINNESOTA AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF INDIANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Abstract

MINNESOTA CLASSIFIES PRISONERS AS INDIAN IF THE PROPORTION OF INDIAN BLOOD IS ONE-FOURTH OR MORE OR IF THEY ARE REGARDED AS INDIAN BY THE COMMUNITY OR ARE LIVING ON A RESERVATION. THE REPORT CATEGORIZES OFFENDERS AS JUVENILE MALES, JUVENILE FEMALES, MALE YOUTHS (18 TO 21 YEARS), AND ADULT MALES. THE INCIDENCE OF FEMALE INDIANS OVER 18 COMMITTED TO COURT IS TOO SMALL TO BE REPORTED. WITHIN THESE GROUPS, DATA ARE GIVEN ON THE FOLLOWING: TYPE OF OFFENSE, CORRECTIONAL HISTORY, BIRTHPLACE, AREA OF RESIDENCE, MARITAL STATUS, HOME LIVING SITUATION, INTELLIGENCE, RELIGION, EDUCATION, OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS, AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT AND ADDICTION PROBLEMS. ANALYSIS OF THIS INFORMATION INDICATES SEVERAL AREAS FOR STUDY THAT COULD IMPROVE INDIANS' BEHAVIOR IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND REDUCE CONFLICTS WITH THE LAW. AN EXAMINATION OF INDIAN CULTURAL ATTITUDES, SUCH AS PERCEPTION OF THE LAW, CONCEPT OF PROPERTY, AND PARENTAL ROLES WOULD BE INSTRUCTIVE, AS WELL AS DIRECTING MORE JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN EFFORTS TO HELP THEM FINISH HIGH SCHOOL. INDIANS' STRONG TIES WITH RELIGIOUS GROUPS COULD ALSO BE EXPLOITED. THE STUDY PROPOSES AN INDIAN VERSION OF PROJECT NEWGATE, AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM BEING CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STATES INCLUDING MINNESOTA, WHICH USES HIGHER EDUCATION AS A REHABILITATIVE TOOL. INDIAN NEWGATE WOULD HELP THE INMATE OBTAIN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, OFFER COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL COURSES, AND WOULD SEEK TO IMPROVE THE INDIAN'S SELF IMAGE THROUGH COUNSELING AND CLASSES ON INDIAN CULTURE. AIDED BY THE INCREASE IN ETHNIC AWARENESS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE INDIAN COMMUNITY, THE INDIAN'S CHARACTERISTIC RESISTANCE TO REHABILITATION COULD POSSIBLY BE OVERCOME. SERVICES TO AID THE INDIAN IN INTEGRATING INTO THE MAJORITY COMMUNITY WOULD ALSO BE DEVELOPED. FOOTNOTES AND AN APPENDIX CONTAINING DETAILED STATISTICS ON INDIAN OFFENDERS ARE INCLUDED. (MJM)