DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES RECOVERY ACT ALLOCATIONS FOR INDIAN COUNTRY

More than $248 Million Made Available to Tribes for Criminal Justice Needs

WASHINGTON – Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli announced today that more than $248 million is available for Tribes to assist with addressing the Indian Country's criminal justice needs. These funds are part of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds managed by the Justice Department to assist tribal, state, and local law enforcement and for other criminal justice activities that help to prevent crime and improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems in the United States, while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed resources for states and local communities.

Of the $248 million in Recovery Act funding available for Tribes, $225 million is available for Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands grants, $20.8 million for Indian Tribal Government grants, and $2.8 million for Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions grants.

In addition to these funds, Tribes are also eligible to apply for several Department of Justice Recovery Act competitive grant programs that are available to states, local governments and other entities depending upon the eligibility requirements in the solicitations. Application, registration and deadline information are available on the Department's website at http://www.usdoj.gov/recovery.

"The Department of Justice is conducting an active outreach effort to ensure Tribes are aware of available funding," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. "This funding is key to helping Tribes respond to specific criminal justice needs. We are available to help clarify the application procedures, and we are committed to allocating these resources quickly so Tribes can address correctional facility needs, protect women from violent crime and enhance their efforts to build safer Tribal Nations."

Correctional Facilities grants will assist Tribes in constructing and renovating facilities associated with the incarceration and rehabilitation of juvenile and adult offenders subject to tribal jurisdiction. Additionally, this funding will allow Tribes to explore community-based alternatives to help control and prevent jail overcrowding due to alcohol and other substance abuse.

The Tribal Governments grants will aid Tribes with responding to violent crimes against American Indian and Alaskan Native women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies. The program is designed to help federally recognized Tribes use their independent authority to respond to crimes committed against Indian women and to ensure that those who commit violent crimes against Indian women are held accountable.

The Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition grants are for established non-profit, nongovernmental tribal coalitions that address domestic violence and/or sexual assault against American Indian and Alaskan Native women. Funds will be used to hire new staff, service providers and professionals to provide technical assistance, coordinate access to services and develop more comprehensive methods of assisting victims and their families.