Profile of inuit offenders in custody and the community: implications for programming

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) requires information on the profile of Inuit offenders to contribute to culture-specific program development.

The study included a snap-shot profile of all male Inuit offenders in custody and under community supervision (N=217) on October 1, 2016. The profile includes data extracted from the Offender Management System (OMS) and the Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System (CoMHISS).

Most Inuit offenders spoke Inuktitut as their home language but almost all stated that English was their preferred language. The majority (79%) of the Inuit offenders were single. About 30% of Inuit offenders in custody were serving an indeterminate sentence. The vast majority were serving a current sentence for a crime of violence with 36% serving a sentence for a sexual offence. Mean age of the custody and supervision samples was 36 and 38 years respectively.

^a Determinate sentences only ^b Includes robbery drugs, other violent, property and other non-violent.

The group was highly criminalized with 88% having a previous offence as an adult. Most of these were violent offences including 41.5% for previous sexual offences. Regarding the current offence, 47% have a conviction that includes a sexual component and 29% are for homicide. These violent offences most commonly involved multiple victims. The majority of Inuit offenders were rated as high risk and high needs and low reintegration potential. All domains on the DFIA-R indicated a significant level of need. Domains with the highest need were Personal/Emotional, Substance Abuse and Marital/Family. Positively, 77% were moderately or highly motivated to change.

Offender Profile Variables: Risk and Need

Most Inuit men were found to have a low level of education and 45% had an indication a significant cognitive deficit . Also of note, 40% of the custody sample had symptoms of ADHD. Family violence is also prevalent. Over 70% have a past incident of spousal violence. Over 50% were themselves abused or witnessed family violence as a child.

Alcohol and drug abuse is implicated in the offence pattern of 90% of Inuit offenders and in their acts of violence. Many have criminal and substance abusing associates and few have social or community supports and little involvement in structured activities.

Selected DFIA-R Indicator Endorsement

¹ This measure may not have been a culture-fair estimate of cognitive function, but low scores would be associated with problems in an academic setting and have implications for program participation.

Interventions for Inuit men should focus on sexual deviance, general and family violence including child abuse, and substance abuse. Despite low levels of social support or involvement in structured prosocial activities, two-thirds report a link to their community, a protective factor that could be considered a strength. Program targets should include strategies to address deficits in problem solving, consequential thinking, emotion management, sexual deviance, criminal associates, and attitudes supporting violence.

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Prepared by: K. Wardrop, J. Thompson, & L. Stewart