NCJ Number
216133
Journal
International Journal of Comparative Criminology Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: 2003 Pages: 191-221
Date Published
2003
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Case studies of the development and operations of four criminal justice organizations operated by Indigenous (native) personnel and/or organizations in the United States and Canada focused on the impact of racism.
Abstract
Research findings indicate that the Indigenous justice organizations examined are attempting to incorporate culturally based staff expertise, procedural strategies, and program content into their operations; however, these efforts are being resisted by some Indigenous and non-Indigenous constituents due to a combination of factors. This study attributes this resistance to both reluctance to break with past practices/ideologies and racism, i.e., the belief that European-based criminal justice systems and practices are inherently superior to Indigenous traditions, values, and practices. Given that the four programs examined depend on mainstream funding and other resources, they have survived by appealing to the popular paradigm of community-based organizational development that reflects the specific needs, problems, and values of the jurisdiction being served. By so doing, they have avoided confrontations based on charges of racism and sought to justify their policies under the common paradigm of community-oriented criminal justice systems. The programs analyzed were the Youth Justice Committees in Alberta Canada, which were created in 1990; the Native Counseling Services of Alberta, a nonprofit organization established in 1970; the Peacemaker Division of the Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ, begun in 1982; and Native Americans for Community Action in Flagstaff, AZ, created in 1971. The study used face-to-face interviews with program participants and administrators, supplemented with telephone, mail, and e-mail interviews; observation; and the content analysis of documents. 2 tables, 8 notes, and 33 references