Aboriginal people are vastly over-represented in the federal prison system - government report
AFN Press Release
Assembly of First Nations Comments on Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator: Aboriginal Inmates Vastly Over-represented in Federal Prison Population
November 27, 2013
(Ottawa, ON) - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo commented on the 40th Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator tabled yesterday in Parliament. The National Chief noted the alarming findings on the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the federal prison population.
"Aboriginal people are vastly over-represented in the federal prison system and the number has been rising over the past decade," said National Chief Atleo. "This is a clear call for action to address systemic problems both in the justice system and in the country as a whole. We must once and for all dismiss the delusion that this situation is simply a consequence of character. We need to ensure our people who are incarcerated have access to cultural programs, culturally-relevant counseling, training and other avenues to rehabilitation. Equally important, we need to address the overall poor social and economic conditions that place too many of our people at risk. First Nations are the youngest, fastest growing population in the country. They are Canada's future and we must invest in our future."
Yesterday's report by the Office of the Correctional Investigator included a special focus on "ethno-cultural diversity in corrections," revealing that Aboriginal people, who account for 4.3% of the total Canadian population, make up a "staggering" 23% of the federal prison population. Aboriginal women make up one-in-three women under federal sentence.
"This situation is a stark testament to the tragic truth that a First Nations youth in Canada is more likely to go to jail than graduate from high school," said National Chief Atleo. "This is why First Nations are united in calling for action on priorities like education. When we open a door to a school, we close the door to a prison cell. We must care for those within the justice system but we must also prevent conflict with the law by offering our people hope and opportunity. First Nations are ready to work with all partners to create real change now."
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.
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Contact information:
Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca
Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca
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Covert racism evident as proportion of ethnic, aboriginal inmates rising
Federal watchdog says report backs longstanding claims of bias in justice system
BY JESSICA BARRETT, POSTMEDIA NEWS NOVEMBER 27, 2013
In his annual report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, Howard Sapers, Canada's correctional investigator, says while Canada's prisons have made strides in addressing needs along gender lines, more must be done to combat prejudice against minorities behind bars.
The increased numbers of aboriginals and visible minorities in federal prisons is evidence of covert racism, discrimination and cultural bias in Canada's justice system, Canada's prison watchdog says.
In his annual report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, Canada's correctional investigator, Howard Sapers, said the number of visible minority inmates is partly reflective of the overall demographic change in Canadian society, but also shows that disproportionate representation of minorities in comparison to their share of the general population is a persistent and growing problem.
According to Sapers' report, Canada's prison population has grown by 2,100 inmates - a 16.5-per-cent increase - in the last 10 years.
In that time, the overall aboriginal population in the prisons grew by 46 per cent, while the number of aboriginal women increased by 80 per cent and now accounts for one in three women under federal sentence.
The prison population of other visible minorities including black, Hispanic, Asian and Indian increased by almost 75 per cent, Sapers found. One in four inmates is foreign-born.
Meanwhile, the population of Caucasian inmates fell by three per cent. "Recent population growth is almost exclusively driven by an increasing number of aboriginal and visible minority groups behind bars," Sapers said.
"Today, 40 per cent of the federal inmate population is comprising non-Caucasian offenders."
The numbers are particularly striking when compared to the general population. Aboriginals account for nearly one-quarter of all prisoners but comprise four per cent of the Canadian population. African-Canadians comprise nearly 10 per cent of the prison population but less than three per cent of Canadian society. The black inmate population in federal institutions has grown by nearly 90 per cent since 2003, the report says.
"I think it raises some very significant questions about our commitment to inclusion, social justice, equity, equality," Sapers said of the findings. "Our justice system is held up as a model around the world and I think we need to do everything necessary to ensure it deserves the international reputation that it has." Sapers said Canada's prison system must address this cultural shift by introducing more culturally relevant programs, increasing staff who speak languages other than English and French, and recommended ethnicity liaison officers be placed in Canadian institutions.
Sapers said the findings of his report support long-standing claims of a systemic bias in Canada's justice system that results in more minorities behind bars.
Once minorities get to prison, covert and subtle racism is often commonplace, he said.
A case study of the experiences of black prisoners found they were over-represented in segregation placement compared to their population in prison, incurred a disproportionate
number of charges while behind bars - especially charges that were up to the discretion of staff - and were more likely to be subject to use of force.
Black inmates are also overrepresented in maximum-security prisons, despite generally posing a lower risk to re-offend, Sapers said "They are also released later in their sentence and are less likely to be granted day or full parole."
Additionally, interviews with black prisoners consistently raised experiences of prejudicial attitudes by some corrections staff, Sapers said.
Many black men felt they were stereotyped as gang members by corrections staff, no matter their behaviour, Sapers said, while one institution forced black members of a literacy group to read aloud passages from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a book "riddled" with racist and demeaning terminology in its description of black characters.
The experience led some black members to quit attending the group. "I think we all know when we're being treated differently," Sapers said. "We all know when we're being dismissed."
Yet despite their experience in prison, Sapers' investigation found visible minorities tend to fare better upon release than the general prison population.
Black inmates specifically show a lower rate of recidivism once released.
"The positive difference in release outcomes raises questions beyond the scope of our investigation," Sapers said.
While Canada's prisons have made strides in addressing needs along gender lines, more must be done to combat prejudice against minorities behind bars, Sapers concluded.
"Canada is an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural country. There is no room or excuse for differential treatment based on creed, colour or culture."
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney rejected the report's findings in question period Tuesday.
"I do not believe that convicted criminals are entitled to their own private accommodation," Blaney said. "The suggestions of racial bias in prison are totally inaccurate. The only group that our system of justice is targeting are criminals.