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| Corrections encourages Native American job applicants |
| By Montana Department of Corrections |
| Published: 11/09/2009 |
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NEWSRELEASE Montana Department of Corrections • 1539 11th Avenue Helena, Montana 59620 • 444-3930 • Fax: 444-4920 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 CONTACT: Ron Alsbury, 444-9529 The Montana Department of Corrections is urging Native Americans to become part of a unique effort to reduce recidivism among Indian offenders. The agency is soliciting applicants interested in filling five positions as probation and parole offers specializing in supervision of Native American offenders, and encourages qualified Native Americans to apply for the jobs. “We believe that those with personal knowledge and understanding of Indian culture, traditions and challenges will be vital to the success of this project,” said Ron Alsbury, chief of the department’s Probation and Parole Bureau. “We can train applicants to be probation and parole officers, but we can’t train them to have connections and relationships with tribes and familiarity with Native American issues.” Alsbury stressed the importance of getting the program operating quickly so the positive effects can be as far-reaching as possible. “Having some or all of these positions filled by Native Americans will give us a running start,” he said. The U.S. Department of Justice gave the department a $925,000 grant for hiring and training eight specialized probation and parole officers to focus on repeat offenders among the Native American population and to help offenders plagued by both mental health problems and addictions. The five officers who will address the Native American issue will be located in the reservation-area communities of Cut Bank, Glasgow, Hardin, Havre and Polson. They will be critical players in developing programs and strategies attuned to the needs of American Indian offenders who have a recidivism rate that is 33 percent higher than non-Indian offenders in Montana. They will coordinate a broad array of community-based services and strengthen relationships with local and tribal partners. “The grant will fund this project for just two years, ending in mid-2011, so we’re hoping that being able to attract Native American applicants will speed up our ability to get the program operating effectively and make the best use of the time and funding,” said Myrna Kuka, Native American liaison for the department. “Native Americans in these positions could significantly improve our ability to push aside cultural and language barriers that can make offender supervision challenging.” Alsbury noted that success of the program could result in it continuing as an integral part of Montana’s corrections system. The deadline for applications is Nov. 30. More information is available through the Montana Job Service or from the Corrections Department’s Human Resources Division at (406) 444-4934 or hrcen@mt.gov. |
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