NCJ Number
199217
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 28-31
Date Published
September 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This Canadian study examined the role of large cities in the Prairie region in the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the Federal correctional system; and it suggests a methodology for empirically defining and assessing location-specific advantage/disadvantage.
Abstract
The study examined differences in dynamic risk factors (criminogenic need) of Aboriginal offenders who committed their most serious offense in large cities, small cities, or rural communities. Place of offense was categorized into three location groupings: large city (population over 100,000); small city (population less than 100,000, but more than 10,000); and rural community (all other towns and villages, but excluding reserve communities). The study consisted of two sets of analyses. The first set examined the relationship between dynamic factors and location of offense for Aboriginal offenders. The second set examined whether the dynamic factors associated with offense locations were more pronounced for the Aboriginal offender population, thus indicating a relative disadvantage. For both sets of analyses, the dynamic risk (criminogenic need) domains of the Offender Intake Assessment (OIA) were used. All available data were extracted from the automated Offender Management System. The sample included all male Federal offenders admitted on a warrant of committal to a Federal correctional facility in the Prairie region between January 1, 1995, and April 30, 2002 (n=5,272). Of these offenders, 2,750 were Aboriginal offenders. Findings show that Aboriginal offenders who committed their offenses in large cities tended to be younger, more involved in criminal lifestyles, and lacking in employment experience than those who committed their most serious offense in small cities or rural communities. The large-city environment may be a key factor that influences the extent to which certain dynamic criminogenic factors are present for offenders. There were significant differences in dynamic factors between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders by offense location. In large cities, Aboriginal offenders had more employment and substance abuse problems than the non-Aboriginal sample. Aboriginal offenders were also more likely to have unstable accommodations, criminogenic lifestyles, many criminal friends, and gang affiliations. These findings suggest that effective reintegration strategies should address the dynamic factors associated with the area to which Aboriginal offenders are conditionally released. 4 figures, 2 tables, and 5 notes