Continuing Strengthening and Enhancing Tribal Court Operations

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 Native Village of Napaskiak will utilize grant funds from fiscal year 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program Category III, Enhancing the Operations of a Tribal Court to support improved case management and supplemental training for court personnel. They will also promote the use of probation, diversion, and alternative sentencing. The primary goal of the project is to increase the efficiency and responsiveness of the tribal court by including traditional and culturally appropriate strategies in the implementation of tribal court procedures. A key project objective is to improve case management by installing case management software, while at the same time, including Tribal and village culture along with state and federal law. A primary focus of the tribal court is to implement probation, diversion, and alternative sentencing that will move away from punitive methods of sentencing and emphasize traditionally focused restorative justice and restitution.

CA/NCF