FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 1997
CONTACT: Christopher M. Changery
(202) 224-2251

CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES JUVENILE JUSTICE PROPOSAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) today announced he will introduce legislation to replace the Department of Justice Pass-Through program with direct juvenile justice grants to Indian tribes. He announced the proposal at today's Indian Affairs Committee hearing on "Juvenile Justice in Indian Country."

Under the current pass-through program, states are required to set aside a minimum amount of their federal juvenile justice grants to be given to tribes in their state. Tribes can use the funds for such activities as prevention, apprehension efforts and adult and juvenile corrections.

Campbell's proposal would replace the pass-through program with direct grants to tribes. However, it continues to leave tribes the option of entering into cooperative agreements with state and local governments. Tribes will be accountable for how the funds are spent by being held to the same reporting requirements currently in the Indian Self-Determination Act.

"Much of the criticism I have heard regarding the Pass-Through Program centers around the concern that the pass-through funds available are insufficient to appropriately address the needs of the tribes," Campbell said. "According to the Department of Justice, states will receive $85 million in grants this year, yet will be required to pass on only $330,000 to the tribes. While some states do award grants in excess of the requirement, many tribes receive too little to accomplish their goal of reducing juvenile crime.

"This proposal allows tribes to enhance their efforts to prevent juvenile crime, while strengthening their government-to-government relationship with the federal government."

According to testimony by DOJ's Office of Tribal Justice:

• Violent crime on tribal lands is increasing, even though it is decreasing in American cities;



• It is twice as likely that a reported crime in Indian Country will be violent compared to the rest of the country.



• The number of police officers per capita in Indian country is half the national average.

"Due to the growing population of Indian youth under the age of 18, it is fair to say that juvenile crime in Indian Country will get worse without ambitious prevention programs and strong cooperation on every level of government," Campbell said. "We should also remember that while an increasing number of juveniles are committing crimes, a increasing number of our youth are too often the victims of these crimes."