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STUDY OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS

NCJ Number
141660
Date Published
1993
Length
42 pages
Annotation
Data about tribal, pueblo, and village juvenile justice among American Indians and Alaska Natives were gathered to determine their nature and funding and their compliance with Federal laws regarding juvenile detention.
Abstract
A total of 162 of 315 tribes took part in the study in some way, as did 48 of the 185 Alaska Native villages. The analysis used data from a mail questionnaire, on-site individual and group interviews, and analysis of official records. Results revealed that by far the highest delinquency rates were for offenses involving the use of alcohol and other drugs. The rates of juvenile status offenses and child abuse and neglect were also quite high. Secure detention often occurred due to the lack of a more appropriate option or facility. The tribal juvenile justice systems handle a number of the juvenile offenders, but the basic responsibilities of State, Federal, and tribal governments in this area are unclear. Many Federal programs provide or assist tribal juvenile justice systems and the related service areas. Finally, many tribal codes lack provisions responding to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act's mandates on the deinstitutionalization of juvenile status offenders, removal of juveniles from adult jails, and separation of juveniles from adults in jails. Tables and study instruments