Helping reverse the overrepresentation of indigenous, black and racialized people in Canada’s criminal justice system

Backgrounder

Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative

Funding awarded under Public Safety Canada’s Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI) will support communities and organizations that are working to provide alternatives to incarceration or reintegrate Indigenous offenders or offer alternatives to incarceration through project development and implementation, training and capacity building, communications, and policy development. Projects will offer a range of services that could include healing and reintegration ceremonies, traditional and Western counseling, traditional knowledge acquisition, and programs that offer wrap-around services to offenders. The ICCI has been renewed and expanded to broaden the reach and scope of the program to create tailored opportunities for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and women.

Eligible organizations include Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (on and off-reserve), Indigenous governments, Municipalities and other local governments working in collaboration with Indigenous organizations or communities, and Canadian universities and colleges.

Renewal and expansion of the ICCI also supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to developing an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic racism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

The Call for Applications is open from now until June 12, 2023.

Expressions of Interest to assist with the safe and successful reintegration of federal offenders from Black, ethnocultural and racialized community groups

In the fight against overrepresentation of Black and racialized people in Canada’s criminal justice system, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Black, ethnocultural, and racialized community groups, experts or organizations to assist with the safe and successful reintegration of federal offenders.

The first step in this process is to build a comprehensive national inventory of organizations who, based on their specific strengths, could work with CSC or Public Safety Canada in the future.

Interested parties are invited to submit an EOI no later than May 15, 2023.

As part of CSC’s anti-racism strategy, this national inventory will help to identify opportunities to build on CSC’s existing efforts, reduce barriers for Black, ethnocultural, and racialized offenders, and create safer communities. It also supports the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism by providing access to more community networks, and culturally appropriate supports, both during and after incarceration.

Increasing our work with community groups will build on the role of CSC’s Regional and National Ethnocultural Advisory Committees, existing partnerships with communities, and our dedicated volunteers who continue to provide their invaluable time and services to support federal offenders across Canada.

These efforts build on the Government of Canada’s efforts to address overrepresentation of Indigenous, Black, and racialized people in Canada’s criminal justice system and supports the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism by providing access to more community networks, and culturally appropriate supports, both during and after incarceration.

Contacts

Audrey Champoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
Audrey.Champoux@ps-sp.gc.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca

Media Relations
Correctional Service Canada
(613) 992-7711
media@csc-scc.gc.ca

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