Reintegrating Indigenous offenders

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) works with Indigenous communities throughout Canada to:

• enhance the role of Indigenous communities in corrections
• reintegrate Indigenous offenders into Indigenous communities

In order to support communities that rehabilitate and reintegrate Indigenous offenders, the Correctional Service of Canada was allocated funding in Budget 2017 for the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program (IORCP). To help close the gaps in services for Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system, and with a focus on reintegration, this initiative proposes to address Indigenous over-representation in Canada’s criminal justice system and will support the healing and rehabilitation of Indigenous offenders.

The IORCP contributes funding to eligible recipients to develop tailored approaches that are responsive to the concerns, priorities and unique circumstances of Indigenous Peoples.

The objectives of the initiative are to:

1. Increase organizational capacity for eligible recipients to support the development and/or implementation of projects, programs, resources or services that assist in the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of Indigenous federal offenders;
2. Increase the ability to gain access to community support services for Indigenous federal offenders prior to their release to rural and remote areas and to plan their transition to the community while ensuring continuity of services;
3. Increase the number of offenders who require suspension and revocation mitigation plans in collaboration with their parole officers and other service providers; and,
4. Increase the number of resources and programs available.

• Indigenous non-profit organizations
• Indigenous governments
• Indigenous organizations and/or Governing Bodies
• Provincial/territorial/municipal government or agencies
• Non-profit organizations
• Canadian universities and colleges
• Any combination of the above

• Knowledge building
• Knowledge sharing
• Capacity building
• Implementation readiness
• Project implementation

The funding available for the contribution program is $600,000 for 2022-2023, $900,000 for 2023-2024, and $1.5 million for 2024-2025 and ongoing.

• Refer to the Program Guidelines for the IORCP;
• Request an application form by sending an email to IORCP/PCRDA.GEN-NHQ@CSC-SCC.GC.CA;
• Complete the application form;
• Develop a budget outlining expenditures and all anticipated sources of funding, including in-kind, for each year that funding is requested;
• Email your completed application form, along with your budget, to IORCP/PCRDA.GEN-NHQ@CSC-SCC.GC.CA
Note: The maximum file size for email attachments is limited to 10Mb.

Funding decisions will be made following a review and approval process by delegated CSC authorities. Decisions will be made based on a proposal’s alignment with the Terms and Conditions of the IORCP and regional priorities.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their respective applications upon completion of this process.

Assistance is available in advance of the submission of a proposal to answer questions. Please contact your Regional Advisor Indigenous Initiatives Directorate or direct inquiries to IORCP/PCRDA.GEN-NHQ@CSC-SCC.GC.CA.

The Aboriginal Community Reintegration Program allows communities to take part in the release and reintegration planning process. Offenders can ask for support from an Indigenous community at any point during their sentence.

Section 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act legislates the process for releasing an offender into an Indigenous community. The offender must give consent. At that point CSC can give advance notice of their parole application to the community.

The steps in the program are:

1. CSC informs Indigenous federal offenders of Section 84 and the process involved. If the offender would like to take part then they must write to the community they have chosen to ask for support.
2. CSC contacts the community to discuss the process.
3. If the community agrees, they work with CSC to plan for the offender’s release. Note: The community may request funding support by submitting a proposal. The proposal should be a 2 to 3 page submission:
   • outlining the proposed involvement of the community,
   • describing the nature of community support, and
   • outlining the funding requirements to support preparation of a release plan.

Path Home: Release Planning Kit - Section 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act further explains how CSC works with Indigenous communities throughout Canada.

CSC wants to ensure that costs are not an impediment to Indigenous communities' participation in the conditional release of Indigenous offenders.

Sometimes Indigenous communities or organizations lack the resources to address offender needs. In these cases, CSC can work with the community to link them with the necessary resources. The parole officer or the Indigenous community development officer can provide a referral if needed.

Examples of expenses that available funding may cover include:

• transportation expenses for community resource people travelling to institutions to work with offenders and parole officers (e.g. community staff, Chief, councillors, Elders)
• preparations in the community for the eventual release date (e.g. reintegration circles)

CSC professionals assist offenders throughout the correctional process. They work closely with offenders from their initial assessment, through case management and to supervision in the community. For more information, visit:

• Serving Time explains the complete process from sentencing to after warrant expiry
• CD 710-2 Transfer of Inmates outlines the responsibilities and references for offender transfers