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Native American youth represent 1 percent of the U.S. population, yet they constitute 2 to 3 percent of the youth arrested for such offenses as larceny-theft and liquor law violations.
Native American youth between the ages 12-20 are 58 percent more likely to become crime victims than Whites and Blacks.
Native American youth are disproportionately placed in secure confinement in comparison to their population in 26 states. For example, in four states (South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, and Montana, Native youth account for anywhere from 29% to 42% of youth in secure confinement).
As of February, 2001, 74% of youth in custody in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system were Native American youth, an increase of 50% since 1994.
At midyear 2000, Native American youth accounted for nearly 16% of inmates in custody in Indian country facilities.
Alcohol-related deaths among Native Americans ages 15-24 are 17 times higher than the national averages. The suicide rate for Native American youth is three times the national average.
From 1992 through 1996, the average annual rate of violent victimization among Native youth 12 years and older was substantially higher than the victimization rates for other children.
A close look at the confinement of Native American youth in South Dakota shows further the disparities for Native American children in the justice system. While South Dakota's Native American youth population is approximately 13%, but Native American accounted for approximately 45% of the youth incarcerated at the South Dakota State Training School in 2000. The dangerous conditions of confinement and abusive practices at the facility (i.e. placing youth spread-eagled in four-point restraints) led to a class action lawsuit and a federal investigation. Moreover, prior to the litigation most Native children in the South Dakota juvenile system were deprived of access to cultural and spiritual activities for Native American youth. Other states, such as New Mexico, North Dakota, and Montana can be looked to for examples in ways to provide spiritually and culturally appropriate services to Native American youth.
Additional information on Native American youth in the juvenile justice system can be accessed through the federal Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention's Tribal Youth Program (TYP). The TYP seeks to support and enhance tribal efforts to prevent and control delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system for American Indian and Alaska/Native youth. Information on TYP is available at 202/307-5921 or by visiting: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/typ/index.html
Sources:
Enlarging the Healing Circle: Ensuring Justice for American Indian Children (2000). Washington, DC: Coalition for Juvenile Justice.
Juvenile Justice Journal - Volume VII, Number 2 (American Indian Issue)(2000). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Minton, T. (2001). Jails in Indian Country, 2000. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Steinberger, R., Incarcerated Indians, Native American Times. 1 Feb. 2000.
Volesky, R. (2001). Indian manifesto of personal responsibility. Well Nations. 2001: 15.