Second, First Nations must be able to support their members who are within the corrections system. The Strategy commits to the expansion of cultural programming throughout BC Corrections, including within adult custody centres and community corrections supervision. There are many examples of cultural programming, and special programs within adult custody centres, which seek to assist those incarcerated with cultural healing and therapeutic learning opportunities and support. Such programming is also critical to the appropriate re-connection and re-integration with families and communities after sentences have been served. First, studies and experience have re-iterated the central importance of cultural norms, practices, and programming within corrections, both as part of rehabilitation and healing, and as part of reducing rates of recidivism. Two key initiatives are also designed to support the experience and dignity of Indigenous peoples who are incarcerated, and thereby aim to reduce recidivism. These will provide culturally-appropriate alternatives focusing on rehabilitation, not incarceration. This is particularly important for youth and women, and, therefore, both a Youth Action Plan and a Women’s Action Plan will be developed to identify strategies to reduce their risk of involvement in the justice system, including incarceration.Īnother strategy to implement the presumption of diversion, as well as to re-ignite First Nations justice systems, will see the establishment of a network of corrections alternatives across the province over the next decade. This is aimed to prevent incarceration of (and where possible to de-incarcerate) Indigenous peoples where appropriate and safe for them, the communities, and the general public. The BC First Nations Justice Strategy aims to address this crisis of over-incarceration and involvement in corrections by working with the corrections system to incorporate the core presumption of diversion. These grim realities highlight the ongoing toxic force that colonialism continues to play in Canadian society. In BC, Indigenous girls outnumber non-Indigenous girls in custody. Making up 8% of the youth population in Canada, Indigenous youth comprised 50% of custody admissions and 42% of community admissions. This is an increase from 21% and 19% respectively, one decade ago. In 2016/2017, Indigenous adults accounted for 28% of admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services and 27% for federal correctional services, while representing 4.1% of the Canadian adult population. Indigenous peoples are making up a growing proportion of those engaged in correctional services or who are incarcerated. The over-representation of Indigenous peoples within corrections is a long-standing crisis that is growing in magnitude and urgency.
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