Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Alternative Sentencing Program

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.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation lives on a 77,000 acre reservation among the flint hills in rural northeast Kansas, the home to many of its 5,300 enrolled members. Before Kansas became a State, the people of the Potawatomi Nation were known as the 'Keepers of the Fire,' and they still maintain this cultural role today. The grant funds will be used by the Nation to enhance their tribal judicial system by creating a Healing to Wellness Court, a non-punative sentencing program for nonviolent substance-abusing offenders. An advisory committee comprised of a tribal elder, a cultural advisor, a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and representatives of the court, law enforcement, and treatment disciplines will be formed to ensure all goals, objectives, and cultural aspects of the Healing to Wellness Court are met and protected. The goals of the committee are to reduce recidivism by healing substance abusing offenders and encouraging high standards of accountability for the offenders. The Tribal Court is responsible for the daily operations of the grant program. Thorough, comprehensive written progress and fiscal reports will be issued on a regular schedule to keep all interested parties apprised; including plans for the program's sustainment after the grant funds are expended. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation will use this grant to help its Tribal Court ensure the continuity of tribal traditions and culture while maintaining the Nation's sovereignty and self-determination.

CA/NCF