Incarcerating Ourselves: Tribal Jails And Corrections

The issue of incarceration is one that transcends all populations in the United States but is of particular import in communities of color. This is especially true for American Indians, whose rates of violent crime and incarceration are significantly higher than those of other races. The challenge of creating and maintaining prisons and jails is a significant one for any community, but for American Indian communities, which are already stretched financially and in terms of trained personnel, the challenge can seem overwhelming. Many Indian nations are creating and running jails regardless of the costs, because they have determined that they can provide custodial services near home communities and with cultural and traditional components that are not met by mainstream facilities. They have also determined that the provision of essential law enforcement and custodial services are opportunities to expand tribal sovereignty in important ways.