Module 2: Brief History of Imprisonment Flashcards
Describe the reasons why Canada built their first penitentiary
The idea of imprisonment began centuries ago, largely as an alternative to
earlier, even harsher punishments meted out to those who broke the law.
conditions in the Canadian
prison system have recently regressed, because of an ideology that advocates being ______. This approach shows a preference for
long prison sentences and harsh conditions of
imprisonment. The concerns expressed in the inquiry are still concerns today
Discuss some of the factors that contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in corrections, including colonialism.
1) colonialism
2) socio-economic marginalization
3) culture clash
4) Systemic discrimination
When Kingston Penitentiary opened, it was thought that crime was a..
social disease. The laziness of the poor and their lack of a moral compass
were, it was believed, what led to crime. separation, obedience,
strict religious instruction, and hard labour were necessary to teach people to respect order
and authority
The Brown Report
an investigative report in 1849 of the Kingston Penitentiary. It talked about inhumane treatment
The Criminal Code says that the fundamental purpose of sentencing is to
protect society and to
contribute to respect for the law and the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society by
imposing “just sanctions.
The Criminal Code says that the fundamental purpose of sentencing is to
protect society and to
contribute to respect for the law and the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society by
imposing “just sanctions.
Indigenous overrepresentation in prisons: colonialism
1) Indian Act - setting up for failure
2) colonial relationship whereby cultural alienation, territorial dispossession, and socio-economic marginalization became increasingly pronounced among Indigenous peoples
3) residential schools - unresolved trauma passed down - Indigenous people often say they lost their parenting skills through the residential school experience
Indigenous overrepresentation in prisons: Socio-economic Marginalization
1) employment in remote and isolated Indigenous communities is significantly lower than overall Indigenous employment numbers
2) substandard levels of housing, education, and health care for Indigenous communities.
3) Health is another serious issue. The high and increasing rate of tuberculosis (TB) currently seen is a significant indicator of the effects of socio-economic marginalization, combining poverty, poor housing, and poor health care.
4) further indicator of social and economic marginality is the high rate of suicide among Indigenous people.
Indigenous overrepresentation in prisons: Systemic Discrimination
Systemic discrimination can be seen in all phases of the criminal justice system:
- policing,
- courts
- corrections.
systemic discrimination for Indigenous people: policing
1) over-policing
2) under-policing: The legitimate claims of Aboriginal people that their rights, either individually or collectively, are being violated are not taken so seriously
3) general absence of a community policing model in these communities
One approach to the over/under policing issue is to…
establish more community policing in Indigenous communities.
community policing model “is based on four principles:
1) knowing and working with communities;
2) identifying common problems and concerns;
3) resolving problems through partnerships;
4) effective and directed enforcement”
systemic discrimination for Indigenous people: Courts
always incarcerated. Always in remand.
courts deny bail and impose remand for one or more of three reasons:
1) the person is not likely to attend court for his/her next hearing or trial; 2) the person is considered a threat to the community or an individual; or 3) the nature of the alleged crime is so offensive that it would shock the public if the alleged offender were released on bail
A standard condition is that the accused have a surety
