Tribe’s new justice center opens
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will open its new state-of-the-art, $26 million Cherokee Justice Center on Dec. 17 following two years of construction.
Situated on a 5-acre site southwest of downtown Cherokee on U.S. 441, the 76,000-square-foot facility will house the EBCI tribal police station, courthouse and a 96-bed jail.
Funding was provided by a U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance program to construct or renovate correctional facilities on tribal lands.
“The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Justice Center completion marks a significant stage in the reclamation of our tribal sovereignty,” said EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks. “It demonstrates our tribe’s continuing commitment to provide services to our people and toward the development of rehabilitation based on Cherokee values.”
