A former Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement official says he hopes tribal jail conditions will improve now that attention is focused on the problem.

Ed Naranjo said higher-ups knew the jails were in sorry shape but it wasn't until this year that they started to do something about. It happened after he made a videotape documenting the "despicable" conditions at facilities on reservations in Montana.

A copy of the tape was sent to the BIA's central office in Washington, D.C., in February. New assistant secretary Dave Anderson said he found out about it three weeks into his term.

The Department of Interior's inspector general is investigating jail conditions. Department of Justice reports have shown they are overcrowded and understaffed.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing June 23 on the detention facilities.

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Agencies probe Indian jail conditions (The Missoulian 6/1)

Indian Country Jail Reports:
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