Law

County by Pine Ridge Reservation receives justice service grant

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The jail in Pennington County, South Dakota. Photo from Pennington County

A South Dakota county that borders the borders the Pine Ridge Reservation, home of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, has received a $150,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to improve justice services.

Officials in Pennington County will use the money to support drug courts, behavioral health programs and alternative sentences for juveniles, the Associated Press reported. It's part of a larger effort to reduce jail populations across the nation.

“Each of the sites selected has demonstrated the motivation, collaboration, and commitment needed to make real change in their local justice systems," said Julia Stasch, President of the MacArthur Foundation. "The aim is that local efforts will model effective and safe alternatives to the incarceration status quo for the rest of the country.”

Native Americans represent nearly 10 percent of the population in the county, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But they are overrepresented in the justice system -- more than 42 percent of inmates in the jail are Native, The Circle reported.

The jail provides cultural services to Indian inmates and education and other programs for juveniles, The Native Sun News reported as part of a series into the justice system in the county. Sheriff Kevin Thom, whose office will be using the MacArthur grant, is seeking to hire more Native employees.

The county seat is Rapid City, where Native Americans represent more than 12 percent of the population, according to the Census. Racism and anti-Indian sentiments have been common there.

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MacArthur grants aimed at reducing numbers in US jails (AP 5/27)