17 percent, 21 percent

Those are the numbers, respectively, that represent the Native American males and females in the population of about 13,000 adults imprisoned or supervised through prerelease centers and probation programs in the Montana corrections systems.

7 percent

Native Americans represent 7 percent of Montana’s residents.

You don’t need to be a sociologist to see there is a problem.

The issue is well-researched and one that will continue to challenge our state and its communities.

That acknowledged, it is encouraging to meet Harlan Trombley, the Montana Department of Corrections American Indian liaison. Hired in November, he fills a job that is critical, said Montana Department of Corrections Director Mike Batista, but was vacant for some time.

Trombley is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, a graduate of Browning High School, Blackfeet Community College and the University of Great Falls. He has 17 years of experience working as a tribal police officer in Browning and a corrections officer at the Cascade County Detention Center.

Trombley’s background and professional career experience are unique qualifiers that already are helping bridge the gap in understanding between some Department of Corrections staff members and Native American offenders and their families and friends.