There are two competing explanations for this fact. One explanation is that Natives are differentially treated by criminal justice agencies and the second explanation is that Natives have nonracial attributes placing them at risk for criminal behavior. These explanations were evaluated by administering a risk assessment scale (LSI) to Native and non-Native offenders incarcerated in three jails. Race was inconsequential with regard to court dispositions and prison treatment. Furthermore, LSI assessments were predictive of prison and postrelease behavior but the pattern varied according to race. Finally, reading scores were predictive of reincarceration for non-Natives even after controlling for risk. (Author abstract)