1988-06-29 Char-Koosta News

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A nexus puBíication of the Salish and 'Kootenai Tribes of the Jlathead h
Reservation
Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 17, NUMBER 6
MONTH OF THE CAMAS
Tribes ponder possibility of juvenile detention center
According to a federal law that goes into effect in December of 1989, the Tribal juvenile officers will no longer be allowed to detain juveniles in adult facilities for any reason, even capital crimes, says juvenile probation officer Kathy Ross.
She and juvenile officer Ken Clair-mont are working on an alternative plan that includes a proposed juvenile detention center on the Reservation. The
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problem they face is finding a place for the center and money to renovate a building or construct a new one. The facility may be a distance in the future, but it's an issue the office needs to address now.
"First we need to answer a philosophical question," said Ross. "Do we want a place to rehabilitate the juveniles, or simply a place to punish them?" She says she'd like to see a facility with at least six beds, education services for those held for longer periods of time, counseling services and recreation areas. Whatever the accessories the facility houses, it would have to be a "lockup" facility with 24-hour adult supervision. ("Lock-up" meaning the outer doors are locked, but the youngsters would have freedom to move about
within.) This option would require hiring a few more people to come in as supervisors and to maintain the facility.
There are four places they would have in mind should that option be pursued: the Turtle Lake Center, adding a detention wing to the Ronan Receiving Home, the Moiese Youth Ranch, and Mission Valley Health Services. She said they would, of course, be interested in the opinion of the residents in those communities.
Another option is to reserve a couple of rooms at a local hotel where the juvenile officers could call in trained supervisors to sit with the juveniles for the required period of time.
Juveniles that are picked up are usually held for 12-24 hours while they wait (Concludes on page three)
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POW WOW DETAILS: See page 16
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July quarterly this Friday in Pablo
The year's third quarterly meeting is set to begin around 9 a.m. on Friday, July 1, in the Council's chambers at Tribal headquarters in Pablo. All you folks up on the Reservation for the Arlee pow wow, as well as all you regular residents, are encouraged to stop by and meet with and ask questions of the Tribal Council. Lunch will be served at noon.