Indigenous Peoples and the Criminal Justice System

Question 1

Stats of Indigenous overrep in CJS

Answer 1

• 4% of gen pop in Canada
• 28% of admissions to sentenced custody
• higher at the provincial level, especially in the Prairie provinces.

Result of systemic racism and discrimination

Question 2

Indigenous Trauma on Criminiality

Answer 2

Living under oppression / genocide for prolonged periods can lead to traumatic symptoms. These symptoms are many of same factors referred to as “risk factors” (community and systemic). Helps understand root causes of crime / victimization affecting Indigenous peoples. Many of crimes committed by or against Indigenous peoples can be explained by these risk factors.

Question 3

Criminalization of Indigenous Peoples

Answer 3

Racial Discrimination at all levels of the CJS.

• system is structurally racist, I.E. driving w/ out license -> caught, not having $ to pay fine, has to go to jail.
• Poverty and Unemployment, I.E. ability to afford best lawyer.

Socioeconomic / cultural differences - more likely to receive attention from authorities.

Strained relations between indigenous peoples and authorities.

“crime is colonial problem, not indigenous problem”

Indigenous peoples less likely to get parole. More likely to have parole revoked, be put in the hole, etc. Becomes structured (normalized / perpetuated over time).

Question 4

Victimization of Indigenous Peoples

Answer 4

Disproportionately high rates of violent victimization (2x the rate of violent victimizations, 6x the homicide victim rate of non-indigenous ppl, also more likely to experience multiple victimization).

Indigenous women experience violence at higher rates than any other group of women in Canada, also fastest growing prison pop.

MMIWG