The Department of Corrections was officially established in 1995, even though it had been operating under a consent degree since November 1992.  The Consent Decree Order, which limits each facilities capacity, outlines staff/inmate, timelines and emphases inmate bill of rights.  The main focus of the degree is to detain each individual under humane conditions at each of the detention facilities, with several other mandates that are required to comply with the decree.  Since the implementation of the decree minor improvements have been made.  

Mission

·        To provide prevention/intervention and diversion services to adults and juveniles at risk in becoming involved with the justice system. 

·        To provide mental health and substance abuse services, including traditional treatment, to Navajo Correctional Facilities. 

·        To provide follow-up treatment for individuals in transition to the facility and through multi-agency coordination and collaboration.

Purpose

The Navajo Nation Department of Corrections detains inmates arrested by Navajo Law Enforcement Officers and those charged with criminal activity by the Navajo Nation District Courts.  The Department operates six adult detention facilities and two juvenile facilities across the Navajo Nation.  Corrections service inmates arrested on the Navajo reservation and on rare occasions will hold federal (Navajo) inmates, while awaiting transfer to a federal prison.

Pledge

·        To ensure that all incarcerated adults and juveniles are housed under humane conditions.

·        To provide intervention services to incarcerated persons.

·        To develop & implement polices/procedures for the effective and efficient operation of correction facilities within the territorial jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation.

·        To ensure that all inmates are provided an opportunity to change and positively reintegrate themselves back into their communities.  This will be done through referrals to various local available social, behavioral, and health services.

Delores Greyeyes

 MSW, Director

Vacant

ASO

Mary Peshlaskai

Accounts Maintenance Specialist

Ophelia Begay

Training Specialist

Sam Mann

Senior Office Specialist

Additionally, we have a total of 179 employees within the department, which includes Chinle Youth Corrections, Tohatchi Youth Corrections Facility, and Western Navajo Juvenile Services.

Facilities

Adult:

*(00) denote number of personnel per facilities.

• Window Rock (14)            
• Shiprock  (16)
• Crownpoint  (13)
• Chinle  (14)
• Kayenta  (9)
• Tuba City  (16)

Juvenile:

• Tohatchi  (11)
• Chinle   (41)
• Western Navajo  (40)

“Over 30,000+ arrests are made each year; we are only able to house 103 detainees…”

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