FACT SHEET: Aboriginal Offenders

Transcription

1 FACT SHEET: Aboriginal Offenders Aboriginal Offenders Aboriginal people inhabited a land from the earliest times, prior to colonizers arriving. Almost all data available relates to male offenders from Canada, the United States, and Australia. Overall, Aboriginal offenders are overrepresented within the criminal justice system. They are more likely to commit violent crimes, are classified as higherrisk and higher-need, are younger, have a lower level of education, are less likely to be employed, are more likely to have an alcohol or drug abuse problem, and have often had extensive involvement with the criminal justice system as youths. The current correctional system does not adequately deal with the needs of Aboriginal offenders, so rehabilitation rates are poor and recidivism rates are high 1. Overrepresentation Aboriginal people make up about 3% of the population in Canada, Australia and the United States; yet they make up 20-35% of the inmate population in correctional systems, and up to 50% of the prison population in New Zealand 2. The higher rate of incarceration for Aboriginal peoples has been linked to systemic discrimination and attitudes based on racial or cultural prejudice, as well as economic and social deprivation, substance abuse and a cycle of violence across generations 3. Some concerns related to the overrepresentation are that correctional systems classify Aboriginal offenders at higher security levels than other inmates; they are identified as having lower reintegration potential; and they are placed in segregation more often than non-aboriginal offenders, limiting their access to appropriate programming. Unfortunately, Aboriginal inmates often do not receive timely access to rehabilitative programming and services that would help them return to their communities. The major overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in prison, combined with their differential Koa Hughes treatment, and risk factors is a set up for continuous, long lasting problems and recidivism. Risk Factors Existing research supports the applicability that six of the eight central risk factors pertain to Aboriginal offenders, as follows: history of antisocial behaviour antisocial personality antisocial attitudes antisocial peers absence of positive leisure or recreational activities substance abuse The other two typical risk factors, family and marital problems and school and employment difficulties, did not appear to be risk factors for Aboriginal offenders. There may be additional culture-related risk factors that pertain to Aboriginal offenders. For example, an extremely high percentage of Aboriginal offenders report early drug and/or alcohol use, physical abuse, parental absence or neglect, and poverty in their family backgrounds, and having Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, Aboriginal offenders have often been raised as wards of the community, and many attended boarding or residential schools. Aboriginal offenders also suffer from a higher incidence of general health problems 4. Alternative Rehabilitation There has been significant concern among members of Aboriginal communities that current correctional programming may not yield the same positive results with Aboriginal offenders as it does with non-aboriginal offenders. The Correctional Service of Canada has played a For more information visit: Contact us at: eaplstudent@gmail.com 1/5 1/4

2 4 3 A European Association of Psychology and Law - Student Society Publication Un d e r g r ad u at e A u t h o r August 2013 Se r i e s FACT SHEET: cbt offender therapy leading role in developing and implementing ground breaking initiatives to advance Aboriginal Corrections, all of which have proven to be beneficial. The CSC stated that Aboriginalspecific programs must be implemented, replacing regular existing initiatives or in addition to existing programs5. In Australia, traditional forms of punishment have been taken into consideration when recommended for an Aboriginal offender, such as shaming and exile; further, communities implemented traditional punishments for the offender2. Given the high rates of alcohol misuse, family violence and unemployment amongst Aboriginal offenders, many countries suggest that these need areas should be specifically addressed in anger or violence programs6. Alternative approaches are presently directed at reducing the number of Aboriginal people involved in the criminal justice system, and reducing the level of recidivism7. involved in the system, and alternative, culturally appropriate treatment. Despite years of effort, there has been no significant progress in improving the overall situation of Aboriginal offenders during the last 20 years, and more research is needed to determine an appropriate course of action. Conclusion Aboriginal offenders are highly overrepresented within the correctional system. Most Aboriginal offenders face many historical and current disadvantages that increase their risk factors for criminal behaviour, so it is necessary to find an appropriate response to prevention, rehabilitation and recidivism reduction, all within a culturally appropriate way. It is necessary to create a representative judicial system, cross-cultural education for those Quick summary: Aboriginal offenders have many of the same risk factors as other offenders Aboriginal offenders are highly overrepresented in the criminal justice system relative to their numbers within the regular population (3% vs %) The current correctional system does not work for Aboriginal offenders, and their recidivism rates are high. 2 For more information visit: Contact us at: eaplstudent@gmail.com 2/4

3 Undergraduat e Aut hor Series FACT SHEET: CBT OFFENDER THERAPY Where can I get more information? Information from the EAPL-S is available online, in PDF, or as paper brochures sent through the mail. If you would like to have EAPL-S publications, you can order hardcopies for a nominal fee through eaplstudent@gmail.com. Criminology. Retrieved from: ents/1999/~/media/conferences/indigenous/h owells.pdf 7. Burrows, G., Reid, G., & Richardson, N. (2000). Aboriginal peoples and the criminal justice system. The Bulletin: Canadian Criminal Justice Association. Retrieved from: References 1. Rugge, T. (2006). Risk Assessment of Male Aboriginal Offenders: A 2006 Perspective. User Report ). Ottawa: Public Safety Canada. Retrieved from: _1-eng.aspx 2. Anthony, T. (2010). Sentencing Indigenous offenders. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse New South Wales. Retrieved from: f 3. Office of the Correctional Investigator (2010). Aboriginal inmates. Backgrounder. Retrieved from: bec.gc.ca /rpt/ annrpt/annrpt info-eng.aspx 4. Zinger, I. (2006). Annual report of the office of the correctional investigator: Evidence of systemic discrimination against Aboriginal inmates in Canada's prisons. Office of the Correctional Investigator. Retrieved from: eng.aspx 5. Correctional Service Canada: Aboriginal Corrections. (2011). Healing lodges for Aboriginal federal offenders. Retrieved from: scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/abinit/challenge/11- eng.shtml 6. Byrne, K., Byrne, M., Day, A., & Howells, K. (1999). Risk, needs and responsivity in violence rehabilitation: Implications for programs with Indigenous offenders. Australia Institute of For more information visit: Contact us at: eaplstudent@gmail.com 3/5 3/4

4 FACT SHEET SERIES INFORMATION EAPL-S publications are in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without the permission from the European Association of Psychology and Law Student Society (EAPL-S). EAPL-S encourages you to reproduce them and use them in your efforts to improve awareness of issues in psychology, corrections and law. Citation of the European Association of Psychology and Law as a source is appreciated. However, using these materials inappropriately can raise legal or ethical concerns, so we ask you to use these guidelines: EAPL-S does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services, and publications may not be used for advertising or endorsement purposes. EAPL-S does not provide specific medical advice or treatment recommendations, legal action or referrals; these materials may not be used in a manner that has the appearance of such information. EAPL-S requests that organizations not alter publications in a way that will jeopardize the integrity and "brand" when using publications. Addition of logos and website links may not have the appearance of EAPL-S endorsement of any specific commercial products or services or medical treatments or legal services. If you have questions regarding these guidelines and use of EAPL-S publications, please contact the EAPL-S at eaplstudent@gmail.com 4 For more information visit: Contact us at: eaplstudent@gmail.com 4/4

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6 Undergraduate Author Series FACT SHEET: Aboriginal Offenders An EAPL-S publication