Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $150,000)
This award is made under the FY 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program and it supports the development, implementation, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal justice systems. Allowable elements under the program may include, but are not limited to: establishing a core structure for a tribal court; improving case management; training court personnel; acquiring additional equipment and/or software; enhancing prosecution and indigent defense; supporting probation diversion and alternative sentencing programs; accessing services; focusing on juvenile services and multi disciplinary protocols for child physical and sexual abuse; and structuring intertribal or tribal appellate systems.
Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) will use fiscal year 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP) Category III Enhancing the Operation of Tribal Courts funds to support tribal court capacity building activities. The TCAP funds will assist the tribal court with addressing capacity issues, which are the result of an anticipated increase in youth gang related criminal activity on the reservation, and the expansion of the reservation, which will contribute to an increase in social services utilization and judicatory involvement. The project goal is to enhance the existing tribal court system and develop the tribal court's capacity to address the growing crime, therefore, strengthening the judicial branch of government in order to ensure and affirm tribal sovereignty. Project objectives center on developing tribal court capacity by funding a part-time TCAP PIIC Tribal Court Coordinator to implement and coordinate project activities, conducting community meetings to obtain consensus for a PIIC court diversion and alternative sentencing program for non-violent and misdemeanor offenders, developing and finalizing ordinances for PIIC court diversion and alterative sentencing programs, and developing and finalizing court agreements (legal contracts) between PIIC and state and county agencies.
CA/NCF