NCJ Number
199797
Date Published
March 2002
Length
192 pages
Annotation
This document discusses the over-representation of Aboriginal youth within the criminal justice system in Canada.
Abstract
There are indications that Aboriginal youth are over-represented at every stage of the criminal justice process, and that the criminal justice system fails to meet the needs of these youth. During March 2000, all provincial and territorial officials were contacted to solicit their support for a 1-day snapshot of Aboriginal youth in their facilities. All agreed to participate. The two Snapshot components were the Facility Information Form and the Data Collection Form. Most of the jurisdictions conducted the Snapshot on May 10, 2000. The Aboriginal youth in custody indicated where they spent the longest period of time during the 2 years preceding their current admission, where they committed or allegedly committed their offense, and where they plan to relocate upon release from custody. Results indicate that the typical Aboriginal youth in open or secure custody was a male between the ages of 16 and 17 that was guilty of a property-related offense. Equal proportions of Aboriginal youth on remand were charged with an offense against the person and a property offense. Aboriginal youth experienced most of their conflict with the justice system in urban areas. A majority of them lived in a city for the 2 years before their current admission. A majority were charged or committed the offense for their current admission in a city. A majority of them planed to live in a city upon release from custody. A majority of youth lived, committed or allegedly committed their offense, and planed to relocate in similar locations (a city, town, or reserve). Youth that lived primarily in a city before their current admission were most likely to have committed or allegedly committed their offense in a city, and planed to relocate to a city. 77 figures, 74 tables, 2 appendices