Bureau of prisons makes agreement to house Native American violentoffenders

WASHINGTON - GHN News - Much of the time the Native American communities have attempted to
handle certain offenses within the parameters of tribal law, but
recently they have reached out to the Bureau of Prisons to begin
accepting violent offenders.


The Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons recently announced the

implementation of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 by launching a
four-year pilot program to begin accepting certain tribal offenders
sentenced in tribal courts for placement in Bureau of Prisons
institutions.

The pilot program allows any federally recognized tribe
to request that the bureau incarcerate a tribe member convicted of a
violent crime under the terms of Section 234 of the Tribal Law and Order
Act and authorizes the bureau to house up to 100 tribal offenders at a
time, nation-wide. By statute, the pilot will conclude on Nov. 26, 2014.

"The launch of the Bureau of Prisons pilot
program is an important step forward in addressing violent offenders
and under-resourced correctional facilities in Indian country," said
Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli. "This is one step among many to
bolster the safety and security in tribal communities.

Under the landmark Tribal Law and Order Act
of 2010, the Justice Department will continue to work with our tribal
partners on a multilateral approach that includes better law enforcement
training, enhanced treatment and prevention programs, and improved
tribal crime data gathering and information sharing."

Tribal law specifics is outlined in part by this entry written by an attorney: Today in the United States, we have three types of sovereign entities--the Federal government,the States, and the Indian tribes. Each of the three sovereigns has its own judicial system, and each plays an important role in the administration of justice in this country. Tribal law is becoming increasingly important as more than 560 sovereign Indian nations and Alaska Native Villages exercise their powers by managing and resolving legal disputes on their lands.