NCAI/NCJA Webinar — Preparing to Return Home: Tribal and State Reentry Collaborations

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From NCAI/NJAI:

April 23, 2015, 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET

Transitioning from incarceration back to a community is often a complex process not only for the returning individual, but also their families and community-at-large.  Reentry can be especially difficult for tribal members who wish to return to their tribal communities. Given much of Indian Country is located in geographically remote areas, successful reentry is inherently complicated for those who are subject to state supervision. In such instances, it is critical that the releasing agency and the tribal community work together to leverage community resources in order to meet the basic and behavioral health needs of the person returning.

This webinar, Preparing to Return Home: Tribal-State Reentry Collaborations, will explore two examples of how communities have collaborated to aid in the successful reentry of local tribal members. First, we will highlight recent efforts by the U. S. Attorney from the District of Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and, county agencies to develop strategies for reentry planning and service alignment for tribal members preparing to return home.

Next, we will highlight the Tribal-Parole Pilot Project recently enacted through South Dakota’s Public Safety Improvement Act (PSIA).   This pilot project establishes a partnership between the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC), the Department of Tribal Relations, and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe.  Through this initiative, the State provides training and funding for a tribal parole agent to supervise parolees on the reservation.  A tribal wellness team works with the agent and parolee in accessing services, providing appropriate supervision and support, and responding to violations.

This will be an interactive session with opportunities for participants to discuss and ask questions. Register  here.

Presenters:

  • Peter Ortego, General Counsel, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
  • John Walsh, United States Attorney, District of Colorado
  • Ed Ligtenberg, Director of Parole, South Dakota Department of Corrections
  • Bradley Lewandowski, North East Supervisor, Parole Field Services, South Dakota DOC
  • Joan L. White, Director, Sex Offender Registry, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

Moderator:

  • Kimberly Cobb, Project Director, American Probation and Parole Association