Corrections & Healing

2nd edition.

Statistical tables for the general situation, custodial sentencing and disciplinary action, and parole and probation.

Looks at Aboriginal over-representation in all aspects of the criminal justice system in Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Uses the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody to focus on deaths in police custody and prison in Australia.

Presents findings from two studies of male offenders serving federal sentences and some of the differences between these two studies.

Looks at the failure of the Federal Prison for Women to accommodate Indigenous inmates and suggests the healing lodges as an alternative.

Formative evaluation monitors program activities, tests for progress in achievement and identifies areas for improvement throughout the process of program delivery.

Argues that the growth of youth population concentrated in urban cores and off reserve increases risk for incarceration.

Reports that years after Supreme Court decision regarding sentencing in Gladue, Aboriginal over-representation has increased, not decreased due to systemic discrimination in policing and prosecution, and a lack of resources for providing community healing based justice. Duration: 6:25.

Looks at how the Aboriginal Justice Program has evolved over the past three years and focuses on future directions.

Looks at the strategy started to help communities develop programs to support offenders stay out of the justice system. On one pdf. Scroll down to page 37 to read article.

Reports on the launch of an Aboriginal program that offers an offender in Canada an alternative form of justice in a culturally appropriate environment.

Asserts that the British legal system cannot be successfully transfer to Indigenous people, due to philosophical differences. Excerpt from chapter four of Tough on Kids: Rethinking Approaches to Youth Justice.

Cohort consisted of Program participants who were released to the community on day parole, full parole, and statutory release. Study assessed whether taking part in program reduced the risk of returning to substance abuse and results were compared to Aboriginal offenders who had been enrolled in the moderate and high intensity National Substance Abuse Programs.

Examines the over-representation of Aboriginals in the penal system and compares statistics on the offences committed by Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals who have applied for parole.

Comparison of North American Indian, Metis and Inuit/Innu offenders; based on data gathered by Correctional Service of Canada’s Offender Management System (OMS), Offender Intake Assessment (OIA) process, and Community Intervention Scale (CIS).

Psychology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Regina, 2003.

Discussion of the Aboriginal Pathways Strategy aimed at the development of institutional and community services and reducing incarceration rates.

Focuses on Aboriginal inmates with regard to disease prevalence in the Canadian correctional system as well as incarceration rates.

Indigenous philosophy about sentencing stresses reconciliation and restoring community peace and equilibrium. Reprint of Chapter 3 of the book: Justice in Aboriginal Communities: Sentencing Alternatives. Note: This is a sample article from the publication. Subscriptions are available from the Native Law Centre.

2nd edition

Summarizes the Conference held in Saskatoon at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in 2005, as well as the background and work of two commissions: Commission of First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform and the Commission of Inquiry into Matters Relating to the Death of Neil Stonechild.

Examines sentencing circles and their potential to change the lives of victims, offenders, and community; also looks at a new relationship between community and government.

Paper written for the Ipperwash Inquiry into the death of Dudley George.

Psychology Thesis (M.A.)--Simon Fraser University, 1999.

Discusses actions to reduce violence which affects Aboriginal people as both victims and offenders, with a focus on urban populations.

2nd edition.

Looks at assessments made for decisions relating to security classification and discretionary release of federally sentenced offenders.

Anthropology and Archaeology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Saskatchewan, 1994.

Study conducted at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon found spirituality programs had definite therapeutic benefits.

Documents the process of symbolic healing currently taking place in penitentiaries, which involves cultural awareness and educational programs.

Comments on the urgent need for culturally appropriate interventions to prevent more Aboriginal youth from becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Pre-publication version.

Investigates the over-representation of Aboriginal people as victims of crime in Australia. The majority of the violent offending against Aboriginal women and children is committed by Aboriginal men.

Briefly discusses the reasons behind over-representation in criminal justice system.

Sample included 626 women admitted to the Correctional Service of Canada on a new sentence between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2010. One hundred and twenty-four were of First Nations ancestry and 46 of Métis ancestry. Areas of focus consisted of information collected during intake assessment (demographic, sentence, offence, personal history), institutional adjustment, social support, release-related information, and post-release outcome.

Discusses the current situation, alternatives to practices, and makes recommendations to address the high incarceration rate of Aboriginal women.

Brief paper outlines factors which have contributed to the high rate of incarceration of these women.

Looks at characteristics of Aboriginal women offenders as a whole, and of First Nations and Métis women separately. Focus is on demographic information, sentences and offences, risk and need variables, and release types.

Looks at an alternative correction centre outside of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan for First Nations women, that practices traditional healing and the contradictions between spiritual and penal philosophies.

Examines the obstacles, barriers and solutions.

Comments on the Constitution and the historical indifference of the criminal justice system toward Indigenous women.

Criminology Thesis (M.A.)--Simon Fraser University, 2009

Examines root causes of and issues surrounding “Aboriginal youth rebellion;” considers the implications of rebellious acts as modes of resistance to colonial policy and practice. Recommends addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous youth through cultural and language and cultural revitalization.

Sources for statistics, case law and constitutional issues, international law, rights, legislation and policy, law enforcement, prison system, access to legal information, and sociological and background information.

Arguments supporting the sentencing or healing circle as a "valid vehicle for reflecting Aboriginal culture and traditions in the criminal justice system." Note: This is a sample article from the publication. Subscriptions are available from the Native Law Centre.