Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) peoples are significantly and increasingly overrepresented in the federal offender population. In 2014/15, 4% of the overall Canadian population were Indigenous, while 24% of incarcerated federal offenders and 17% of federal offenders on conditional release were Indigenous.

Indigenous peoples are also overrepresented in the justice system as victims. They are four times more likely than non-Indigenous people to be victims of violent crime, including homicide.

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act also emphasizes the need to address long-standing challenges related to Indigenous offenders. The Act recognizes the unique circumstances and special needs of Indigenous offenders and requires the PBC to develop policies and processes which are sensitive to these circumstances and needs.

To meet these challenges, the Board undertakes research production and analysis, awareness-building and community outreach that pertains to Indigenous offenders in the federal correctional system.

These activities impact PBC policy and practice with the goal of improving services provided to these populations.