An overview of women’s corrections

Women offenders comprise approximately 5% of the total population of federal offenders in Canada. Slightly more than half of these women are under community supervision.

In recent years, the women offender population has increased, particularly:

• Indigenous women
• women with mental health issues
• women affiliated with gangs
• women who are serving shorter sentences

The following principles govern programs, interventions and services for women offenders:

• empower women offenders
• nurture meaningful and responsible choices
• foster respect and dignity
• create a supportive environment
• promote shared responsibility

Creating Choices: The Report of the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women - Learn more about the principles that govern corrections for women offenders.