BC Corrections and Indigenous justice

BC Corrections is committed to addressing the over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system, transforming our organization and healing broken relationships. Indigenous people are nearly 6% of B.C.’s adult population, yet they are 36% of the individuals in our care in custody and 28% in the community.

We work with Indigenous justice partners to create programs and policies that meet the needs of Indigenous individuals to support them to change their behaviour and help reduce the number of Indigenous people in the correctional system.

BC Corrections is dedicated to answering the Calls to Action of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, the BC First Nations Justice Strategy and the Métis Justice Strategy. 

On this page

• Improving understanding
• Indigenous Justice Program
• Indigenous cultural liaison in correctional centres
• Indigenous justice programs and services

Improving understanding

BC Corrections is working to understand and address the many complex factors that contribute to the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the justice system, including the impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma from residential schools because we know the first step to reconciliation is understanding our history. 

This includes a commitment to ensure all BC Corrections employees receive education about the lasting impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and the role of culture in healing.

This work is led BC Corrections’ Indigenous Programming and Relationships Unit and by contracted Indigenous Cultural Liaisons (ICLs), Knowledge Keepers/Elders and other Indigenous service providers.

Indigenous Justice Program

BC Corrections partners with the federal government to support the delivery of the national Indigenous Justice Program in communities across B.C. These community-driven programs deliver culture-based services that range from court diversion to client support and supervision, to community reintegration planning and support.

Indigenous justice partners are trained to deliver two of BC Corrections’ core programs – Respectful Relationships and Substance Abuse Management – to support program delivery in a culturally relevant and safe manner.

In addition, Indigenous justice workers are knowledgeable and skilled in the areas of:

• Alternative measures
• Pre-charge diversion
• Pre-sentencing options
• Orientation to community corrections and the role of probation officers
• Foundations of corrections case management
• Bail and probation secondary supervision support
• Offender reintegration planning
• Program facilitation skills
• Restorative justice
• Healing plan development
• Victim support

Indigenous cultural liaison in correctional centres

Indigenous cultural liaison services are offered at all 10 provincial correctional centres. BC Corrections works closely with and defers to the guidance from Indigenous cultural liaisons and other Indigenous partners to help establish and deliver culturally safe programs and services to individuals in custody.

This includes support with release planning and work to connect Indigenous individuals in custody with supportive family and community members, Gladue supports and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers to support reintegration into their communities upon release.

While programs vary within each centre, they may include dedicated spaces for one on one and group activities and spiritual ceremonies as well as sweat lodges, spirit bathing, language classes, singing, drumming, art traditional cooking.

Indigenous justice programs and services

B.C. has programs and services throughout the province for Indigenous people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. They are available at all stages of the justice process, for example, in the areas of victim support, support for going to court and helping offenders return to the community. For more information, visit Indigenous Justice Programs and Services.