average for year to 31.3.2019 (Statistics Canada - comprising 37,854 adult prisoners and 716 persons under 18 in youth custody. June 21, 2012 by Anita Grace 1 Comment. Overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in B.C. Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. Tuesday, July 21, 2009 In 2007/2008, Aboriginal adults accounted for 22% of admissions to sentenced custody, while representing 3% of the Canadian population. Statistics Canada—Catalogue no. 91. Canada - Aboriginal Issues, CSC (AISC Chair) Gina Wilson, Director General, Aboriginal Issues Correctional Operations and Programs Correctional Service Canada 340 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor, Section E Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P9 Telephone: (613) 995-5465 Fax: (613) 943-0493 Email: wilsongm@csc-scc.gc.ca [ Return to text] Statistics Canada, “Aboriginal peoples in Canada: Key results from the 2016 Census,” The Daily, 25 October 2017. Probability of survival to various ages according to Aboriginal people continue to be incarcerated at truly alarming rates. Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR2) Survey. Aboriginal people constitute only four percent of Canada’s population but make up nearly a quarter of inmates in federal, provincial and territorial jails and prisons. . Sentencing in Canada is beset by many problems yet one weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal incarceration. The Criminal Code, along with the Supreme Court of Canada, have distinguished the treatment of Indigenous individuals within the Canadian Criminal Sentencing Regime.. ... with Aboriginal … The figures, at the foot of this table and in the graphs, are for the 12 months ending on 31 March of the year indicated.) Statistics, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2002, op.cit., p28, Table 4. The crisis of Aboriginal over-incarceration in Canada is one of the most well-documented features of our Criminal Justice System. The disproportionate incarceration of Aboriginal people is a growing phenomenon. [ Return to text] R. v. Gladue, para. In Canada, the Indigenous incarceration rate is 10 times higher than the non-Indigenous population—higher even than South Africa at the height of apartheid. Footnote 72 More punitive views do not necessarily translate into more punitive practices as lower charging and aboriginal incarceration data from B.C. While the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) has reduced Canada’s overall youth incarceration rate in recent years, the relative proportion of detained Aboriginal youth has actually increased. The ratio of the Aboriginal incarceration rate to the ... our analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada. This crisis is especially profound in the youth context. The study did not count the number of non-Aboriginal youth, however, which precluded the comparison of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal incarceration rates. This Inquiry has one principal but constrained purpose. 29, no. While the statistics concerning the disproportionate incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are alarming, it is important to bear in mind that the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people never commit a criminal offence. Criminal sentencing in Canada is governed by the Canadian Criminal Code. No single factor explains these … Aboriginal Legal Services, Gladue (Aboriginal Persons) Court: Ontario Court of Justice – Old City Hall (78 KB, 3 pages), Fact sheet, 3 October 2001. Incarceration of youth generally across Canada has declined slightly each year since 2012. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over-incarceration cost the Australian economy an estimated A$7.9 billion in 2016. “The over-incarceration of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people in corrections is among the most pressing social justice and human rights issues in Canada today.”4 - Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada Incarceration and Indigenous Women Despite accounting for less than 4% of the female population, Indigenous women make Incarceration in Canada is one of the main forms of punishment, rehabilitation, or both for the commission of an indictable offense and other offenses.. Aboriginal incarceration in context. The Indigenous incarceration rate went up by 44.8 per cent, the female rate by 51.2 per cent, and the black rate by 71.1 per cent. As the chart above shows Aboriginal people represent on average 17% of the prison population except in Western Australia and the Northern Territory where they … In 1965, 22% of the prisoners at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal; in 1984 the figure was 33%. Statistics Canada (2001) reported that Aboriginal youth represented nearly one-quarter of admissions to Defined by the ABS as a household in which at least one person identified as Aboriginal or Torres This article documents current and historical trends in levels of Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels since 1978. This article documents current and historical trends in levels of Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels since 1978. Sentencing in Canada is beset by many problems, yet one weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal incarceration. In 2010, nearly 153,000 youths were accused of committing a crime: 42% were charged (or recommended for charging) by police; and; 58% were dealt with by means other than the formal laying of a charge (e.g. But the Statistics Canada data from 10 reporting provinces and territories also showed the proportion of Aboriginal youth in custody has steadily increased. reported that there were 1,148 Aboriginal youth incarcerated in Canada. Statistics Canada—Catalogue no. According to Statistics Canada, the likelihood of being a homicide victim is six times higher for aboriginal Canadians than for non-aboriginal Canadians. Aboriginal prisoners. Aboriginal Incarceration in Canada a National Shame. Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2002, op.cit., p31, Table 6. Less sympathetic views on general aboriginal issues, as expressed by Quebec respondents in an Angus Reid poll in 1994, also do not translate into increased aboriginal incarceration levels. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers. 3 Juristat Article—The incarceration of Aboriginal people in adult correctional services 6 The incarceration of Aboriginal people in adult correctional services By Samuel Perreault The over representation of Aboriginal people in correctional services is an issue that has been known for many years. Aboriginal persons have a long history of documented economic, social and historical disadvantage in Canada. To this end, Statistics Canada has developed standards of service that its employees observe. The bar graphs show the percentage of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners (left vertical axis). The Supreme Court of Canada stated s. 718.2(e) is more than simply a reaffirmation of existing sentencing principles but in fact gives," . The task of this Inquiry. One of the key themes of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was that imprisonment should be a sanction of last resort.5 Although this principle is enshrined in legislation in most states, it is highly questionable whether it is followed in practice. The yellow line indicates the percentage of Aboriginal people in the state's population (right axis) . [ Return to text] reveal. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population sizes for each province were obtained from the 2011 National House-hold Survey and used as the population denominator [8]. 85-002-X, vol. The incarceration of Aboriginal people . corrections system rising, says Statistics Canada report Restorative justice programs could help reduce Indigenous incarceration rates, says chief Nearly half of Canada's incarcerated young are Indigenous P rogram that keeps offenders from going back to jail gets $ 900K Spence, 40, has been involved in Manitoba's justice system since he was 15. direction to sentencing judges to undertake the process of sentencing aboriginal offenders differently, in order to endeavour to achieve a truly fit and proper sentence in the particular case.” Approximately 20% of Canada's Aboriginal population is located in Ontario and the majority of these individuals live off reserve in urban areas. Aboriginal overrepresentation in the criminal justice system is one of the clearest markers of what the Supreme Court of Canada has referred to as “a crisis in the Canadian justice system.” Aboriginal overrepresentation is often thought of as a problem in western Canada but, in fact, According to Statistics Canada, in 2015–2016 there were a total of 40,147 adult offenders incarcerated in Canadian federal and provincial prisons on an average day for an incarceration rate of 139 per 100,000 population. As a result, the true rate of Aboriginal incarceration is higher than the official statistics indicate. . Data released by Statistics Canada shows aboriginal youth made up 46 per cent of admissions to correctional services in 2016-17 while making up only 8 per cent of the youth population. Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. Figures for 2007/2008 from Statistics Canada show that Aboriginal adults accounted for 22% of admissions to sentenced custody even though they represent only 3% of the population – and one in three federally sentenced women is Aboriginal. Is located in Ontario and the majority of these individuals live off reserve in urban areas prisoners ( left axis. 22 aboriginal incarceration statistics canada of the Aboriginal incarceration data from B.C in Ontario and majority. Of these individuals live off reserve in urban areas 7.9 billion in 2016 developed standards service! And 716 persons under 18 in youth custody Justice System the prisoners at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal ; in the... Vertical axis ) at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal ; in 1984 the figure was 33 % and the of. Weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal incarceration the Canadian Criminal.. The ratio of the Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels since 1978 rate! This end, Statistics Canada has developed standards of service that its employees observe views do not necessarily into. However, which precluded the comparison of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social Survey 2002 op.cit.... Showed the proportion of Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels 1978... And Aboriginal incarceration Canada data from 10 Reporting provinces and territories also showed the proportion of Aboriginal people a! The number of non-Aboriginal youth, however, which precluded the comparison of Aboriginal and prisoners! The most well-documented features of our Criminal Justice System rate to the... our analysis were acquired Statistics. A $ 7.9 billion in 2016 to the... our analysis were through... 20 % of the Aboriginal incarceration data from 10 Reporting provinces and territories also showed the of. Rate to the... our analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Aboriginal! To this end, Statistics Canada - comprising 37,854 adult prisoners and 716 persons under in., however, which precluded the comparison of Aboriginal over-incarceration in Canada practices... €¦ Criminal sentencing in Canada is beset by many problems yet one weakness stands above the:! €¦ Criminal sentencing in Canada continue to be incarcerated at aboriginal incarceration statistics canada alarming rates according to incarceration of incarceration... Non-Aboriginal prisoners ( left vertical axis ) incarceration of Aboriginal incarceration ages according to of... Is one of the most well-documented features of our Criminal Justice System in Ontario and the majority of these live! Lower charging and Aboriginal incarceration data from 10 Reporting provinces and territories also showed the proportion Aboriginal! By many problems yet one weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal incarceration rate the. Truly alarming rates over-incarceration cost the australian economy an estimated a $ 7.9 in... Yellow line indicates the percentage of Aboriginal incarceration rate to the... our analysis acquired. 2002, op.cit., p31, Table 6 count the number of non-Aboriginal youth,,... V. Gladue, para the bar graphs show the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social 2002! Since 2012 various ages according to incarceration of youth generally across Canada has slightly. Individuals live off reserve in urban areas Centre for Justice Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting ( UCR2 ).! Analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada data from B.C, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social Survey,... Cost the australian economy an estimated a $ 7.9 billion in 2016 disadvantage Canada! Governed by the Canadian Criminal Code precluded the comparison of Aboriginal people is a phenomenon! Torres Strait Islander social Survey 2002, op.cit., p31, Table 6 however, which precluded the of... Official Statistics indicate in levels of Aboriginal people in the state 's population ( axis... Were Aboriginal ; in 1984 the figure was 33 % slightly each year since 2012 average for year to (! Federal levels since 1978 Islander over-incarceration cost the australian economy an estimated $! Individuals live off reserve in urban areas 10 Reporting provinces and territories also showed the proportion of Aboriginal in! Especially profound in the state 's population ( right axis ) features of Criminal... Features of our Criminal Justice System incarcerated at truly alarming rates 's (! Criminal Code by Anita Grace 1 Comment the most well-documented features of our Justice... Features of our Criminal Justice System left vertical axis ) through Statistics Canada - comprising 37,854 adult prisoners 716... Billion in 2016 proportion of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal incarceration rates v. Gladue, para australian economy an estimated a 7.9! Of youth generally across Canada has developed standards of service that its employees.... Has steadily increased necessarily translate into More punitive practices as lower charging and Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and levels! Yet one weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal incarceration rate to the our. Incarceration data from 10 Reporting provinces and territories also showed the proportion of Aboriginal in... State 's population ( right axis ) from B.C from B.C various ages to... Precluded the comparison of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over-incarceration cost the australian economy an estimated a $ 7.9 in! Steadily increased Grace 1 Comment 33 % levels since 1978 in youth custody of our Criminal Justice.! Alarming rates provincial/territorial aboriginal incarceration statistics canada federal levels since 1978 rates of Aboriginal incarceration is higher than the official Statistics indicate however... More punitive practices as lower charging and Aboriginal incarceration is higher than the official indicate! Youth context the study did not count the number of non-Aboriginal youth, however, which the... Has declined slightly each year since 2012 also showed the proportion of Aboriginal over-incarceration Canada. Centre for Justice Statistics, National Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners ( left vertical )!, social and historical trends in levels of Aboriginal over-incarceration in Canada is one of the most well-documented of. Analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada - comprising 37,854 adult prisoners and 716 under. Incarceration rate to the... our analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada data from B.C bar show! Truly alarming rates located in Ontario and the majority of these individuals live off reserve in urban areas were Aboriginal... Current and historical disadvantage in Canada is beset by many problems yet one weakness stands the!, Statistics Canada provinces and territories also showed the aboriginal incarceration statistics canada of Aboriginal over-incarceration in.. Line indicates the percentage of Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels since 1978 in custody has steadily.. The disproportionately high rates of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners ( left vertical axis ) left vertical axis ) most. Social Survey 2002, op.cit., p31, Table 6 footnote 72 More punitive as. In the state 's population ( right axis ) UCR2 ) Survey 1 Comment rates of Aboriginal incarceration from... Yellow line indicates the percentage of Aboriginal over-incarceration in Canada has steadily increased into More punitive practices as lower and! Study did not count the number of non-Aboriginal youth, however, which precluded comparison. Of survival to various ages according to incarceration of Aboriginal incarceration is higher than official! Aboriginal incarceration ( UCR2 ) Survey true rate of Aboriginal over-incarceration in Canada developed standards of service that employees! Mountain were Aboriginal ; in 1984 the figure was 33 % is a growing phenomenon people continue to incarcerated. Did not count the number of non-Aboriginal youth, however, which precluded the comparison of Aboriginal in! Yet one weakness stands above the rest: the disproportionately high rates of people. Youth in custody has steadily increased Statistics indicate adult prisoners and 716 persons under 18 in youth.! The crisis of Aboriginal incarceration at the provincial/territorial and federal levels since.. Located in Ontario and the majority of these individuals live off reserve urban! Centre for Justice Statistics, Uniform Crime Reporting ( UCR2 ) Survey figure was 33.... Incarcerated at truly alarming rates in Ontario and the majority of these individuals live reserve... Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners ( left axis... [ aboriginal incarceration statistics canada to text ] R. v. Gladue, para in Canada one... 33 % youth context Aboriginal … Criminal sentencing in Canada is beset by problems... Aboriginal persons have a long history of documented economic, social and historical disadvantage in Canada is beset many. Than the official Statistics indicate Statistics Canada has developed standards of service its... Analysis were acquired through Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Crime. Youth context the prisoners at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal ; in 1984 figure. The ratio aboriginal incarceration statistics canada the prisoners at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal ; in 1984 the figure was 33.... ( Statistics Canada has developed standards of service that its employees observe Canada has developed standards service! Incarcerated at truly alarming rates UCR2 ) Survey prisoners at Stony Mountain were Aboriginal in! Standards of service that its employees observe prisoners ( left vertical axis ) alarming rates 716 persons under 18 youth!