NCJ Number
199219
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 37-39
Date Published
September 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes Canada's Tupiq program for Inuit offenders, a holistic corrections program specific to the needs of Federal Inuit offenders.
Abstract
The name "tupiq," which means "tent" in Inuktitut, is symbolic of the holistic nature of the program. Although much of the content of the Tupiq program follows universally accepted relapse prevention theory, it integrates Inuit culture by using Inuit delivery staff, Inuit healing therapy, and Inuit counselors from the offenders' home communities. The techniques and activities used in the program incorporate Inuit cultural references whenever possible; for example, it is not uncommon to hear the sound of an Inuit drum emanating from the program room during an emotion-management session, or to encounter polar bear hunting on the floe edge as a metaphor used to examine basic problem solving methodology. The Tupiq program provides 255 contact hours per offender in 16 weeks, targeting sexually abusive behavior within a holistic framework that incorporates cognitive restructuring, social values, emotion management, abuse dynamics, and family violence prevention as interrelated factors. Currently, the fifth Tupiq program is being delivered at Fenbrook Institution and is in the process of a third-party evaluation. Measurable goals of the program include reducing recidivism, reducing detention rates, increasing safe reintegration to the Inuit community, and actively involving Inuit communities in relapse prevention. 2 notes