Answer:
The rate of crime among aboriginal people increases from east to west and there is variation in the use of imprisonment. There are no major differences in the type of offences committed across the country. For fine defaults, B.C., Quebec and Ontario rely less on imprisonment. The Prairie provinces have the most marginalized aboriginal populations and highest use of imprisonment for life-style related offences such as administration of justice and public order. This partly explains the disproportionate levels of imprisonment.
Aboriginal offenders are over-represented in prisons, and in admissions for violent offences, particularly in federal institutions. Disproportionality is greatest in the Prairie provinces and least in the Maritimes and Quebec. Aboriginal offenders are generally younger, have more prior contact with the criminal justice system, and come from more dysfunctional backgrounds than the non-aboriginal groups. Aboriginal over-representation in correctional institutions can be explained by a higher rate of reoffending and the commission of more offences that result in imprisonment. Further, existing sentencing policies and practices operating in provinces with the most disadvantaged aboriginal groups will have the most onerous effect on those groups. Less use of probation in Alberta and Saskatchewan may contribute to the over-representation problem.
Federal aboriginal offenders are less likely to receive full parole but seriousness of offence is a factor. Lower parole release rates also reflect difficulty in formulating release plans and receiving support from communities. Federal aboriginal offenders have higher recidivism levels and the risk of recidivism appears to be greatest for Status Indians on and off-reserve.
|