Bill seeks Indian for South Dakota parole board

South Dakota Rep. Tom Van Norman, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, introduced a bill in hopes of placing an Indian on the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Native Americans are disproportionately represented in the prison system even though they commit no more crimes per capita than non-Natives. Van Norman and others believe an Indian member of the board could help address some of the disparities.

Van Norman's bill is HB1213. Unlike earlier efforts, it only suggests that an Indian be placed on the board. A previous bill that would have created a spot exclusively for a tribal member failed two years ago.