An interim report released by the Department of Interior's Inspector General says "life-threatening incidents will be inevitable" unless the Bureau of Indian Affairs cleans up its jail system.

The report covered just 14 of the 74 jails in the BIA system. Investigators found more than 30 deaths, suicides and attempted suicides that were never reported to superiors.

A final report is expected later this summer. The Inspector General would not say which facilities are being visited but most of the ones in the interim report were located in the Southwest. One was on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana.

Get the Story:
Indian jails a disgrace, report says (The Billings Gazette 7/7)
Deaths, suicides and escapes a reflection of most Indian jails (The Gallup Independent 7/6)

Interim Jail Report:
Text | PDF

Senate Hearing :
Witness Testimony | Real Video

Indian Country Jail Reports:
Year 2002 | Year 2001 | Year 2000 | Years 1998-1999

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