CAMPBELL INTRODUCES BILL TO REFORM INDIAN JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) today introduced a bill to replace the Department of Justice Pass-Through program with direct juvenile justice grants to Indian tribes.

"Due to the growing population of Indian youth under the age of 18, I believe juvenile crime in Indian Country will get worse without ambitious prevention programs and strong cooperation on every level of government," Campbell said. "With this legislation, we have the opportunity to provide a better mechanism to deliver funds to tribes for the purpose of addressing juvenile justice needs, a much better mechanism than we currently have."

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, cosponsored by Committee Vice-Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), would replace the pass-through program with direct grants to tribes. 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."

Other problems mentioned in testimony at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing last month include the fact that many tribes do not even apply for these grants, because the cost of preparing a grant application would exceed the amount of funds awarded. More importantly, the Pass-Through Program exists in conflict with the Federal-Tribal government-to-government relationship, by requiring tribal governments to depend upon the states. If a state chooses not to participate in the program or does not meet certain requirements, tribes located within that state's boundaries will not receive funds under the Act.

At the April hearing, the Department of Justice representative testified that "while violent crime is falling in American cities, it is rising on American Indian reservations." Despite this, there are still about half as many police officers in Indian country on a per capita basis.

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