Statistics and research on federally-sentenced women
Federally-sentenced women are a small and unique part of the total Canadian federal offender population. To meet their needs, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) takes a holistic, women-centred approach that prioritizes public safety.
Offender profile
5.8% of incarcerated individuals in Canada are women. On average, there were 798 women in custody in CSC facilities during 2024 to 2025.
Indigenous women are over-represented in the federal correctional system. They represent:
- 2% of incarcerated women, and
- 7% of women under supervision in the community
Compared to the average Canadian, federally-sentenced women:
- have a higher incidence of substance use and mental health needs
- are more likely to have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse
In custody
In custody includes all incarcerated individuals:
- in a CSC facility
- on temporary absence from a CSC facility
- who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and
- on remand in a CSC facility
Most federally-sentenced women are serving a sentence of less than five years:
| Sentence length | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Less than 5 years |
853 |
57.1% |
5 years or more |
359 |
24.0% |
Indeterminate |
283 |
18.9% |
Source: Data Warehouse as of the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025. |
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CSC offers a variety of correctional, social, employment and educational programs to women in CSC facilities.
In the community
In community under supervision includes all individuals:
- on day parole, full parole or statutory release
- in the community supervised on a long-term supervision order
- temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility
- unlawfully at large for less than 90 days
- on remand in a non-CSC facility, and
- supervised and subject to an immigration hold by Canada Border Services Agency
Although women may be supervised by any parole office, some parole offices that supervise a high concentration of federally-sentenced women have a Women’s Supervision Unit.
As of March 31, 2024 there were 697 women under CSC supervision in the community. (Source: Corporate Reporting System - Modernized)
Federally-sentenced women were granted federal day parole and federal full parole at a higher rate than men offenders during the previous fiscal year:
| Gender | Day parole | Full parole |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 26.3% | 50.4% |
| Men | 18.6% | 47.3% |
Source: Data Warehouse as of the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025. |
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Federally-sentenced women in the community have access to:
- CSC self-management programs delivered by qualified and trained facilitators
- community employment services to help them to find meaningful work
Research about federally-sentenced women
Find a variety of research reports related to women offenders in our research section:
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