Legislation/Policy/Procedure
Parties: Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation and State of South Dakota
Date enacted/published: Act – February 2013; Pilot - May 2014
Description:
In February 2013, Governor Daugaard initiated and signed into law the Public Safety and Improvement Act (SB70) to address state criminal justice reform, including authorizing the Department of Corrections to create parole supervision pilot programs responsive to tribes. In May 2014, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) and the State of South Dakota entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement which allowed the SWO to supervise Department of Corrections parolees enrolled tribal members on the Lake Traverse Reservation. The purpose of the Tribal Pilot was to reduce the number of tribal members returning to prison, provide increased compliance with parole conditions, and increase safety in the community. The Pilot has two main components: 1. the establishment of a tribal parole office, and 2. establishment of a Wellness Team.
The South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations reported an update on the pilot in July 2015. The Vera Institute of Justice issued a brief on the program in October 2016. Access FAQs here.
For additional information contact:Douglas Williams, SWO Tribal Parole Agent
Office (605) 742-0655
Joan White, Director of SWO Sex-Offender Registry and Tribal Parole
(605) 698-7017
