NCJ Number
112608
Journal
American Jails Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 19-21
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In July 1987, the Omaha Tribal Police opened a new jail, constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Nebraska.
Abstract
While conditions in the previous facility had been deplorable, tribal officials viewed the new facility as a somewhat mixed blessing. The new facility had some significant design deficiencies and was difficult to operate with the available resources. Housing units could not be observed from a central staff post, and special-management housing was isolated and difficult to monitor. The housing units had multiple occupancy cells with no dayrooms or showers, corridors had blind corners, doors lacked vision panels, circulation paths were inadequate, and tribal officials were unable to provide sufficient staff to operate the facility safely and efficiently. Tribal officials also indicated that they had had little opportunity to participate in planning. In an attempt to improve tribal jails, the BIA has adopted a multifaceted initiative. This includes more user input during planning; the use of design concepts that maximize use of staff resources in surveillance, including podular/indirect designs; and the development of comprehensive jail standards. In addition, staff training for BIA jail officers is being upgraded, and a program on procedure and policy development will be made available on a regional basis. The BIA also is developing a computer link with its law enforcement agencies nationwide that will include the capability for population projection and collection of statistical data. 4 photographs.