Women Offender Programs and Issues

FEDERALLY SENTENCED ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN MAXIMUM SECURITY: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROMISES OF "CREATING CHOICES"?

SkyBlue Morin
January 1999

This report was prepared under contract to the Correctional Service of Canada. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Correctional Service of Canada.

Table of Contents

NOTA BENE

1. Introduction

2. Background

Corrections and Conditional Release Act
Commissioner's Directives
CSC's Objectives
Creating Choices

3. Research Methodology

Research Method
Risk Assessment
Needs Assessment

4. Research Analysis

Racism and Discrimination
Breeches of Confidentiality
Authority Based Programming
Young Offender Record History

5. Federally Sentenced Aboriginal women's Perspective

Intake Assessment and Correctional Plan
Programs and Delivery
Needs: Physical, Emotional, Situational, Societal, Etc.
Obstacles in Reducing Security Level
Statements Regarding Staff
Institutions and/or Environment
Family, Community Support and Re-Integration

6. CSC Staff's Perspective

The Reasons Women are Classified as Maximum Security
Intake Assessment and Correctional Plan
Programs and Delivery
Risk Level for Re-Incarceration
Obstacles in Reducing Security Level
The Institution and/or Environment
Family and Community Support

7. Research Findings and Identified Needs

Racism and Discrimination
Breeches of Confidentiality

8. Conclusion

9. Recommendations

References

Appendix I: Percentage Table
Appendix II: Questionaire
Appendix III: Aboriginal Women
Appendix IV: Questionaire: CSC Staff