Substance abuse issues are key factors in the justice system resulting in services and program development

The Pueblo of Laguna, a federally recognized Native American tribe in New Mexico, has been awarded a $891,771 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.596 Tribal Justice Assistance Program). This 5-year grant will support the tribe's Tribal Healing to Wellness Court, a diversion program to address substance abuse issues among offenders in the justice system. Key products and services to be delivered include:

Funding for judicial staffing, court, and probation training on specific needs during arraignments, probation sentencing, and service delivery. The grant will also provide support for the use of ankle monitors for those awaiting trial and on probation, as an alternative to incarceration. The grant aligns with the Tribal Justice Assistance Program's goal of strengthening tribal justice system capacity and addressing priority needs in tribal communities.

The pueblo of laguna has developed programs through the years to address these causal factors. Our tribal healing to wellness court (wellness court) is a diversion program open to addicts involved in the justice system. In the program, participants are referred to the wellness court on a voluntary basis and have their jail or probation sentence held in abeyance during participation. IT can be described as an approximately 1-year intensive outpatient program to address addiction. Our wellness court follows national standards in its organization and implementation. The pueblo of laguna is seeking funding under this application to support judicial staffing, court, and probation training on specific needs exhibited and dealt with during arraignments, probation sentencing, and services. Request for ankle monitors for those awaiting trial and on probation in lieu of incarceration.