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Resources by Topic: Criminal justice system

The Never-Ending Maze: Continued Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Sexual Violence in the USA
Report examining criminal justice, healthcare, and support service issues related to disparities in sexual violence for American Indian and Alaska Native women. Covers challenges due to jurisdictional limitations, challenges and opportunities in tribal policing, the need for training and access to rape kits at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, and culturally competent support for survivors of sexual violence.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Amnesty International
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Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking Final Report
Reports on synthetic drug trafficking in the U.S., including the challenges for law enforcement, need for updated drug policy, and surveillance and data analysis concerns. Discusses public health considerations and challenges for reducing the demand for drugs via treatment. Technical Appendixes include rural references throughout, and Figure B.5 shows opioid-involved overdose deaths by Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) for 2000-2019.
Additional links: Technical Appendixes
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, RAND Corporation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
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Planning a Reentry Program: A Toolkit for Tribal Communities
Toolkit provides information and guidance for developing a reentry program for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are transitioning from the criminal justice system to civilian life. Highlights evidence-based practices for reentry programs, including partnerships to connect returning citizens to housing, job training and placement, and medical, mental health, and/or substance use treatment, among other services.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Bureau of Justice Assistance, Center for Court Innovation, Community Justice & Safety For All, U.S. Department of Justice
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COVID-19 and the Rural Opioid Epidemic: Recommendations to Improve Health in Illinois
Examines the rural opioid epidemic in Illinois and offers policy recommendations to increase access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) centers, engaging populations involved with the criminal justice system, and expanding harm reduction services. Offers data on state opioid fatality rates with rural and urban comparisons and monthly mortality rates based on state Department of Public Health data. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the opioid epidemic.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: SIU Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
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Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women: New Efforts Are Underway but Opportunities Exist to Improve the Federal Response
Report examining the data and jurisdictional challenges of addressing the missing or murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Describes efforts on the part of the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to improve data collection and support tribal governments and law enforcement and offers policy recommendations to improve planning and continue these efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Improving Outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native People Returning to the Community from Incarceration: A Resource Guide for Service Providers
Seeks to improve outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native populations returning to their communities and families after incarceration by sharing information, research, program examples, and other resources addressing various topics including culturally responsive programs, violence, housing, substance use, mental health, education, employment, and more. Also shares special considerations for service providers working with children and families, youth, and women.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Native Americans, HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Doulas Provide Support for Maternal and Infant Health in Rural Communities
Features a New Mexico doula program that reaches American Indian, Hispanic, and other populations who lack nearby labor/delivery units, a Minnesota program helping moms experiencing incarceration, and a North Dakota program training postpartum doulas to care for families impacted by opioid use disorder and other substance use.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Indiana Crisis Intervention Team Practice Brief
Examines the need for Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) in Southern Indiana and the potential for utilizing regional approaches for CIT sustainability. Examines 23 interviews from individuals living in 2 counties in Indiana and discusses the unique needs of rural communities regarding CIT implementation.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Indiana Center for Rural Engagement, Indiana University School of Public Health
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Police Chiefs Serving Small and Rural Municipalities: Profiles and Concerns
Presents a profile of police chiefs and departments in small and rural Pennsylvania municipalities and compares rural and urban departments. Analyzes concerns of rural Pennsylvania police chiefs, including domestic violence, illicit drug use, human trafficking, school safety, and mental health needs for themselves and for the citizens with whom they interact. Includes statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Jennifer C. Gibbs
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Addressing Domestic Violence in Rural Communities: Best Practices for Criminal Courts
Outlines best practices to address domestic violence in rural criminal courts and jurisdictions. Describes the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) model and stakeholders involved, including healthcare providers, that rural communities can use to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence.
Author(s): Liberty Aldrich, Robyn Mazur, Danielle Pugh, Brittany Davis
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Court Innovation
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