The Lummi Nation's court has a new program that offers an alternative to jail for people who have been convicted of low-level offenses.

The court puts people to work on the reservation. They clean up trash or make repairs at the retirement home to serve out their sentence.

�It�s hard work,� Karen Burke, the director of the court, told The Bellingham Herald.

The court has handled more than 2,800 cases through September. The tribe relies on Whatcom County to house offenders in an overcrowded facility.

Get the Story:
Lummi work program provides alternative to jail (The Bellingham Herald 11/27)

Relevant Links:
Lummi Nation - http://www.lummi-nsn.org

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