NCJ Number
178949
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: April 1999 Pages: 249-260
Date Published
April 1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Research on aboriginal criminal justice in Canada is examined with respect to its history, its impacts on policymaking, and future needs.
Abstract
Research during the past 25 years has focused on specific issues in aboriginal justice, but the research has not been systematically designed and integrated into policy, practice, and project development. Aboriginal people often have negative perceptions of such research; government often has only sporadic interest in it. Therefore, the history of this research in terms of shaping justice projects and influencing policy decision-making has been marginal at best. The lack of research impact and integration is surprising, because aboriginal justice has received extensive attention and resources. However, research has focused almost entirely on the issues of race and culture. Imprisonment statistics are often displayed, but surprisingly little is known about aboriginal offenders or their communities. Research issues that need further attention are aboriginal overrepresentation in inmate populations, aboriginal communities' social relationships and social structures, the human and other resources available in communities to support and maintain justice institutions, and the effectiveness of community justice and other initiatives in aboriginal justice. Ethnographic research, primary data collection, and collaborative efforts are needed to examine these issues. Notes and 24 references