The detention middle on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, the place no less than three folks have died since 2016. Congress is now directing a federal watchdog to look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ tribal jails program.

Tailyr Irvine for NPR

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Tailyr Irvine for NPR

The detention middle on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, the place no less than three folks have died since 2016. Congress is now directing a federal watchdog to look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ tribal jails program.

Tailyr Irvine for NPR

Congress is directing a federal watchdog to look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ tribal jails program, which has come below fireplace for quite a few deaths.

The directive is a part of the practically $1.7 trillion federal spending invoice accepted by Congress this week. It duties the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General to observe up on earlier investigations into the beleaguered tribal jails program, which officers have described as a “national disgrace.” The Interior Department oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“The treatment someone receives while behind bars shouldn’t depend on where they go, and no one should have their life at stake or health concerns ignored just because of their criminal status,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., stated in an announcement.

Merkley, who’s a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, tucked the directive into the spending invoice after an NPR and Mountain West News Bureau investigation discovered final 12 months that no less than 19 inmates had died on the tribal detention facilities since 2016. Several of them died after correctional officers failed to supply correct and well timed medical care.

The investigation discovered myriad different issues, together with extreme understaffing, poor workers coaching and crumbling services. At least one jail lacked potable ingesting water, forcing jail directors to show to charities for bottled ingesting water.

After the NPR and Mountain West story was revealed, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which oversees the detention facilities, ordered an impartial evaluation of 16 in-custody deaths inside its jails program.

But a follow-up investigation by NPR and Mountain West discovered that the evaluation was managed by a retired prime regulation enforcement official from the Interior Department who oversaw the detention centers when some of the deaths occurred, elevating questions on conflict-of-interest violations.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs then introduced this 12 months that it was making practically two dozen reforms primarily based on the evaluation.

They include up to date insurance policies and procedures, stronger oversight and higher requirements for investigating in-custody deaths.

The omnibus invoice handed this week directs the Office of Inspector General to look at whether or not these reforms have been enacted, based on Merkley’s workplace. The Office of Inspector General would additionally examine whether or not its previous recommendations have been adopted. The invoice will increase funding for the jails program by $22.6 million.

“Last year, insightful reporting brought to light the chronic problems of detention and corrections facilities across Indian Country,” Merkley stated in an announcement. “I led an effort to ensure funding levels are sufficient to improve recruitment and retention problems — among other things — causing understaffing.”

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., stated he supported an Office of Inspector General investigation and a rise in funding for the jails program.

“I was proud to work with Senator Merkley to include language in the 2023 government funding bill that will direct the Office of Inspector General to investigate and reform the dangerous practices that have been going on at places like the Blackfeet Reservation,” Tester stated in an announcement. “One death at a tribal jail is one too many, and I’ll continue to hold the push for change until we find a lasting solution to these problems.”

Interior Department spokesperson Tyler Cherry declined to touch upon the directive.

The division’s inspector normal could have two months to start the investigation.

This story is a collaboration from NPR’s Station Investigations Team, which helps native investigative journalism, and New Hampshire Public Radio. Nate Hegyi left the Mountain West News Bureau for New Hampshire Public Radio in February.