Bill seeks Indian for South Dakota parole board

Monday, January 29, 2007  

South Dakota Rep. Tom Van Norman, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, introduced a bill in hopes of placing an Indian on the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Native Americans are disproportionately represented in the prison system even though they commit no more crimes per capita than non-Natives. Van Norman and others believe an Indian member of the board could help address some of the disparities.

Van Norman's bill is HB1213. Unlike earlier efforts, it only suggests that an Indian be placed on the board. A previous bill that would have created a spot exclusively for a tribal member failed two years ago.

Get the Story:
Legislator suggests putting tribal members on board (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 1/28)

Equal Justice Commission Final Report:
Report and Recommendations (January 2006)

Justice System Study:
Justice In South Dakota: Does Race Make A Difference? (October 2002)

Related Stories:
Native youth arrested more often in South Dakota (1/23)
South Dakota Indians treated differently in courts (09/25)
South Dakota commission releases final report (02/21)
Indian woman named to South Dakota parole board (01/12)
Editorial: Native American on parole board needed (02/28)
Bill to add Indian to state parole board rejected (2/23)
Indian lawmaker introduces racial profiling bill (02/03)
Report to downplay race as factor in justice system (07/20)
Race study confirms disparity (10/28)
S.D. study shows disparity in justice (10/22)