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Resources by Topic: Criminal justice system

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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Intimate Partner Violence and Structural Violence in the Lives of Incarcerated Women: A Mixed-Method Study in Rural New Mexico
Presents a study of incarcerated women's experiences with intimate partner violence (IPV) and other structural issues disproportionately affecting rural women in New Mexico who are victims of IPV. Draws data from surveys of 99 women, discussing the correlation of IPV with mental health issues, substance use, and socioeconomic conditions.
Author(s): Shilo St. Cyr, Elise Trott Jaramillo, Laura Garrison, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 6185
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
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Healing Our Protectors: Building Resilience Among Tribal Law Enforcement Officers Through Cultural Interventions
Report highlights behavioral health issues facing tribal law enforcement officers, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder. Details common mental health concerns for tribal law enforcement and explores the personal experience of a law enforcement officer who has served tribal communities in a number of positions. Discusses the role of cultural beliefs in behavioral health treatment and support.
Author(s): LaVonne Fox, Leo Belgarde, Sr., Thomasine Heitkamp, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
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COVID-19 Outbreaks in Correctional Facilities with Work-Release Programs — Idaho, July–November 2020
Reports on COVID-19 outbreaks among incarcerated people at five Idaho correctional facilities with work-release programs. The work-release sites included an agriculture-related rural work camp and two food processing plants. Discusses the increased risk of COVID-19 exposure related to work-release programs, as well as correctional facility mitigation activities and outbreak control.
Author(s): Eileen M. Dunne, Ellie Morgan, Bruce Wells-Moore, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(16), 589-594
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Looking at the Rural Homelessness Experience: Definitions, Data, and Solutions
Explains how homelessness impacts health. Features a Vermont organization's work using the evidence-based Housing First model to help people with mental health and substance use challenges and others who lack social supports and have housing needs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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