Bureau of Indian Affairs-run jails a 'disgrace'

Jails run or funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are "a national disgrace" with many facilities having conditions comparable to those found in third-world countries, a federal investigator testified Wednesday to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Nearly 500 serious incidents, including deaths, suicide attempts and escapes, went unreported at the facilities, said Earl Devaney, inspector general of the Interior Department, which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). more]