Aboriginal Women In the Prison System

I was reading the news today. Tanya Lorraine Neill of the Gitxsan First Nation is suing Corrections Canada for improperly classifying her while she was in detention. With no criminal record, Tanya was sent to medium security prison. Since she had no record, there was no history that justified not sending her to a minimum security location. The difference between the two levels of custody, is the difference on whether or not certain passes and privileges would/could be gained. It also makes that difference on whether or not you have a better chance at early release.

It seems that a noticabley higher percentage of aboriginal women are classified as higher security risks, therefore being sent to higher security level prisons. Aboriginal women apparently also do more time than the average offender, for the same types of crimes.

I then found an interesting report, "The Custody Rating Scale, Initial Security Level Placement, and Women Offenders". This report is presented by Corrections Canada and it indeed shows that there is a problem with the classification of aboriginal women. While only 42.1% of non-aboriginal women are placed in medium security, 60.3% of aboriginal women get that same classification. As for maximum security, 10.3% for aboriginal and 2.6% for non aboriginal. Marked differences that I do not believe can be explained away by explanations of justified reasons or coincidence.

The report went on to state that Corrections Canada is concerned and more study has to be done. More study? Concerned? And how long will you be concerned for? And how long will you study for?? Action is what is needed. Not pontification. These women are being treated poorly and UNEQUAL to their peers. That is not what this country is supposed to be about.