Baucus Dismayed at Indian Jail Situation, Offers Funding Solution

BAUCUS DISMAYED AT INDIAN JAIL SITUATION, OFFERS FUNDING SOLUTION
Senator Says New Report Shows Gross Mismanagement Of Tribal Detention Facilities
September 21, 2004

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Montana Senator Max Baucus was "shocked, dismayed, and angry" today after reviewing a new federal report that shows gross mismanagement of Indian jails in Montana and across the country.

Baucus' comments came today following a Senate Finance Committee hearing that reviewed a report by the Interior Department's inspector general. The report is highly critical of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the agency charged with running the detention facilities, and shines a new light on overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions, escapes, and violence at the jails.

"I'm shocked. I'm dismayed. And I'm angry at the BIA's handling of these facilities," said Baucus, who requested Finance Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa., hold the hearing. "They need do to a much better job of running these facilities and I'm glad this report sheds light on the situation. Our government needs to do a better jobs of dealing respectfully with the tribal governments."

The report says, among other things, that the BIA has failed to upgrade the facilities even though Congress has given the agency about $150 million for construction projects since 1997. And Investigators could not account for more than $9 million of the $11 million BIA received to open new facilities, the report also revealed. The report called the BIA prisons a "national disgrace" and provided 25 recommendations to improve the facilities, including more and better training and staffing for jails and increased monitoring by officials in Washington, D.C., and at BIA's regional offices.

"We in government cannot fix every problem," Baucus said. "But ensuring the basic human dignity of Americans is among our most solemn responsibilities. We must also do more to embrace our government to government relationships and treat the first Americans and Montanans with respect."

Blackfeet Tribal Chairman William "Allen" Talks About testified at the invitation of Baucus and said reform is badly needed. The facility at Browning has been widely reported as one of the worst in the country.

"It is a simple analogy that if one jail in Indian Country is the only jail that needs to be corrected, then the answer would be to fix that one jail," said Talks About, "but if there is a continuous pattern of deplorable conditions that exist across the Nation in Indian jails then reform needs to take place."

Talks About gave Baucus and the committee several recommendations to improve conditions in Browning, including building larger adult and juvenile detention facilities and providing more training for police and guards.

As a way to address funding deficiencies at the jails, Baucus said today he will introduce a proposal to give tribes the authority to issue tax credit bonds to construct, maintain, and operate the facilities. The bonds will give tax credits rather than interest to private investors, allowing tribes to earn interest off the proceeds. This interest can provide a steady stream of income designed to maintain and staff the jails, Baucus said.