NCJ Number
230147
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 119-132
Date Published
April 2010
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article examines the overrepresentation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system.
Abstract
It is well documented that Aboriginal peoples have had to endure disproportionately high rates of both victimization and offending for decades. This is largely owing to multiple risk factors that are a product of experiences in residential school systems, the colonization of traditional values and culture, and institutional racism. These issues have been, and continue to be, dealt with primarily through the standard colonial criminal justice system: the police, corrections and the courts. It is evident that this approach has been largely unsuccessful, considering the current high rates of Aboriginal overrepresentation in the system. Efforts to reduce this discrepancy have been minimal and fragmented at best. However, there is a growing body of knowledge that demonstrates that if risk factors are tackled in a culturally appropriate manner, they can be reduced. Given this evidence, it is recommended that Aboriginal organizations, communities and individuals who implement programmes that address the risk factors in a culturally appropriate manner receive adequate support. References (Published Abstract)