Canadian Race Relations Foundation

While other research reports have focused on the existing differences between various ethnic groups within Canadian prison populations, this report reveals the existing similarities among them. The objective of the report is to compare Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Offender Intake Assessment (OIA) risk and needs of Aboriginal and Caucasian women offenders in federal prisons. Although the authors found that Caucasian women experienced lower levels of need than Aboriginal offenders in areas such as substance abuse, employment and socialization, they discovered similarities between the groups in areas such as risk, community functioning and attitude. These results led to the conclusion that while female inmates have different needs arising from dissimilar racialized experiences, they have commonalities originating from shared life experiences. In conclusion, the authors emphasise the importance of focusing research on both differences and similarities between incarcerated ethnic groups in order to fully understand and identify offender risks and needs.