Opposition Mounting to Parole Office Moving to Indian Council

Opponents to the regional Probation and Parole board being moved to the Rhode Island Indian Council building on Broad Street in Providence are holding a rally on Thursday December 11, to decry what they say the lack of input from the community, and potential impact on programming at the facility.

"From our view, the only hesitancy from people to be more vocal to date is thinking at the Native American community is in support of this.  That is not the case," said community organizer Raymond Watson.  ("Raymond Two Hawks, Pomham Sachem of the Historic Mahspaug Nahaganset Tribe," said Watson.)  "Darrell Waldron, the Executive Director of the Council, is just that -- he might be brokering a deal, but he is the head of a nonprofit.  He doesn't represent everyone in the community."  

Last year, opposition from the business community halted the Chafee Administration's proposal to put the parole offices downtown, from their location at the Urban League. 

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Watson noted the programming at the Indian Council should preclude consideration of the facility as a possible location.  

"We have cultural programs for youth, programs for domestic violence victims there," said Watson.  "The business community was able to say, "We don't want this here" when they were considering downtown.   Our concerns are just as valid.  The Rhode Island Indian Council has relationships with other states, we fear if this happens here, this could happen there."

Process, Impact in Question

"We responded to an advertisement in the paper for office space for the Probation and Parole office.  We were the only respondent, and the State Properties Committee held a meeting for a preliminary vote for negotiations to begin," said the Indian Council's Waldron.  "That vote was put on hold and as of now, I am not aware of it being brought back up for another vote.  So as we sit right now, we have not even begun the process to see if it would be a good fit at the Algonquin House or the State."

"The ability to engage in lease negotiations can only begin once there is approval from the State Properties Committee. The matter was deferred at our last appearance before it and has not yet been rescheduled," said Susan Lamkins, the Chief Information Officer with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.   "Contrary to a claim made to the press that the Indian Council Board did not approve the Director submitting a RFP, we have been advised that the Indian Council Board did approve and that documentation will be available to the State Properties Committee if requested.

Waldron said he was aware of the rally planned for Thursday.  "We are a 38 year old Urban Indian Center, operating regionally in 5 states.  We are charged with serving enrolled members of Federal or State recognized Tribes," said Waldron.  "To the best of my knowledge, no member of our constituency has voiced any opposition to this proposal."

Daryl Jamieson of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe -- "Daryl Black Eagle"- -- said he is against the possiblity of the parole board being housed in the building.  

"I don't think it's right to put all those probation and parole offices where there are work programs, youth programs, domestic abuse programs," said Jamieson.  "All of a sudden you'll put all these people where there could be a problem."

"I know people on the [Indian Council] board who told me they didn't know anything about it," said Jamieson.  "I just don't understand the whole thing, you don't put that in a place that serves the community.  Other than to bring in money, that's about it."

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