Statistics and research on federally-sentenced women

Federally-sentenced women are a small and unique part of the total Canadian federal offender population. To meet their needs, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) takes a holistic, women-centred approach that prioritizes public safety.

Offender profile

5.8% of incarcerated individuals in Canada are women. On average, there were 798 women in custody in CSC facilities during 2024 to 2025.

Indigenous women are over-represented in the federal correctional system. They represent:

• 2% of incarcerated women, and
• 7% of women under supervision in the community

Compared to the average Canadian, federally-sentenced women:

• have a higher incidence of substance use and mental health needs
• are more likely to have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse

In custody

In custody includes all incarcerated individuals:

• in a CSC facility
• on temporary absence from a CSC facility
• who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and
• on remand in a CSC facility

Most federally-sentenced women are serving a sentence of less than five years:

CSC offers a variety of correctional, social, employment and educational programs to women in CSC facilities.

In the community

In community under supervision includes all individuals:

• on day parole, full parole or statutory release
• in the community supervised on a long-term supervision order
• temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility
• unlawfully at large for less than 90 days
• on remand in a non-CSC facility, and
• supervised and subject to an immigration hold by Canada Border Services Agency

Although women may be supervised by any parole office, some parole offices that supervise a high concentration of federally-sentenced women have a Women’s Supervision Unit.

As of March 31, 2024 there were 697 women under CSC supervision in the community. (Source: Corporate Reporting System - Modernized)

Federally-sentenced women were granted federal day parole and federal full parole at a higher rate than men offenders during the previous fiscal year:

Federally-sentenced women in the community have access to:

• CSC self-management programs delivered by qualified and trained facilitators
• community employment services to help them to find meaningful work

Research about federally-sentenced women

Find a variety of research reports related to women offenders in our research section:

• Women offenders research