NCJ Number
170918
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1998) Pages: 26-41
Date Published
1998
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examines whether a relatively new system of juvenile justice in one American Indian community in the southwestern United States represents meaningful self-government; a detention center operated by the tribal government, under contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), is at the center of this system.
Abstract
In 1988 an Indian community in the southwestern United States received approval from the BIA to contract to operate a juvenile detention center (JDC) run by BIA law enforcement services. The JDC became central to the legal processing of juveniles referred to the Tribal Children's Court. Late in 1987 a small committee of tribal social service and tribal court officials began work to obtain approval for the tribal operation of the JDC. In 1988 the tribal government assumed operation of the JDC, creating a multipurpose center that serves as shelter, jail, prison, and secure treatment. The new JDC administrators also developed and implemented prevention, aftercare, and probation programs. This article examines the JDC as a self- determination program. It presents and analyzes juvenile justice officials' and community members' perceptions of the JDC and the juvenile justice system, their understanding of tribal self- determination, and their assessment of the match between the operation of the JDC and tribal self-determination as they define it. The author discusses the relative isolation of this program, the lack of community understanding or support for its operation, and the conflict within and between juvenile justice agencies. The intent that program relevance and community involvement would increase through the tribal operation of BIA programs has not been achieved according to the perspectives of the people interviewed. 4 notes and 8 references