Aboriginal Issues

The disturbing reality of Aboriginal overrepresentation in Canadian correctional populations is well-known. Aboriginal people - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - comprise 3.8% of the Canadian population but now account for 23.2% of the total inmate population. On any given day, there are approximately 3,500 Aboriginal people in federal penitentiaries. Between 2001-2002 and 2011-2012, the incarcerated Aboriginal population has increased 37.3%, while incarcerated Aboriginal women have increased by 109%. Aboriginal women offenders comprise 33% of the total inmate population under federal jurisdiction.

Issues of Concern

The issues of concern associated with Aboriginal corrections go far beyond over-representation:

• Profile of Aboriginal offenders
• Integration of Gladue factors in Aboriginal corrections
• Access to spiritual and cultural services
• Widening 'gap' between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal correctional outcomes
• Need for Deputy Commissioner of Aboriginal corrections
• Use of Section 81 and 84 provisions of the CCRA

Reports & Recommendations

• Annual Report 2014-2015 (HTML) (PDF, 2mb)
  • Aboriginal Corrections
• Annual Report 2013-2014 (HTML) (PDF, 5mb)
  • Aboriginal Corrections
• Annual Report 2012-2013 (HTML) (PDF, 744kb)
  • Aboriginal Issues
• Annual Report 2011-2012 (HTML) (PDF, 1.4mb)
  • Aboriginal Issues
• Annual Report 2010-2011 (HTML) (PDF, 2.1mb)
  • Aboriginal Issues - OCI Recommendations & CSC Responses
• Annual Report 2009-2010 (HTML) (PDF, 2mb)
  • Aboriginal Issues - OCI Recommendations & CSC Responses
• Annual Report 2008-2009 (HTML) (PDF, 2mb)
  • Aboriginal Offenders - OCI Recommendations & CSC Responses
• Spirit Matters: Aboriginal People and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (March 07, 2013) (HTML) (PDF, 685kb)
  
  • News Release (HTML)
  • Backgrounder (HTML)
  • Highlights Deck (HTML) (PDF, 78kb)
• Good Intentions, Disappointing Results: A Progress Report on Federal Aboriginal Corrections (November 2009) (HTML) (PDF, 152kb)
  • News Release (HTML)
• Report on the circumstances surrounding The Death of a Federal Inmate - A Failure to Respond (May 2008) (HTML) (PDF, 69kb)
  • News Release (HTML)

In the Media

• Federal response to aboriginal corrections report 'dismissive' , CBC News (March 9, 2013)
  
  
• Aboriginal corrections report finds 'systemic discrimination', CBC News (March 8, 2013)
  
  
• Prison watchdog says officials 'defending the status quo' on aboriginal incarceration, The Globe and Mail (March 8, 2013)
  
  
• Marie-France Kingsley, Director of Investigations with the Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada, discusses the findings and recommendations of a Special Report tabled in Parliament entitled "Spirit Matters: Aboriginal People and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act." (Discussion involving the OCI begins at 10:00), CPAC (March 7, 2013)
  
  
• Prison watchdog calls soaring aboriginal population in jail a 'critical situation', The Star (March 7, 2013)
  
  
• Canada failing Aboriginal inmates, watchdog says, CTV News (March 7, 2013)
  
  
• Natives hurt more by prison crowding, Winnipeg Free Press (September 14, 2012)
  
  
• Aboriginal Incarceration & Redemption Inc., Canadian Press (January 16, 2012)
  
  
• The national shame of aboriginal incarceration, Globe and Mail (July 20, 2011)
  
  
• Inquest jury overlooks aboriginal issues, Toronto Sun (February 01, 2010)
  
  
• Prison staff failed to help suicidal inmate, inquest hears, CBC News (January 26, 2010)
  
  
• Prisoner who died needed help, ex-inmate says, CBC News (January 25, 2010)
  
  
• Government failing aboriginal prisoners: ombudsman, CBC News (November 13, 2009)