Feds Respond To Critique Of Aboriginal Corrections

Feds Respond To Critique Of Aboriginal Corrections

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 14:40

 

 

A spokeswoman for the Correctional Service of Canada says the department is doing its best to control Aboriginal gangs in federal prisons.

 

Krista McGregor is responding to claims by a government watchdog that Aboriginal gangs are flourishing in jails because there is no national strategy to deal with the problem.

 

In particular, Howard Sapers feels the service tends to focus on segregation techniques instead of trying to dismantle the gangs from within.

 

McGregor acknowledges the government doesn’t have an Aboriginal-specific strategy, but she says they are still trying to tackle the problem through a national approach.

 

She adds the correctional service also has a team of 18 officials in Ottawa who are specifically responsible for Aboriginal corrections.

 

Meanwhile, it doesn’t appear the Correctional Service of Canada will appoint a separate deputy commissioner for Aboriginal corrections.

 

Sapers has publicly called for the creation of the position to help improve outcomes for aboriginal inmates.

 

However, McGregor says the department feels appointing someone to oversee Aboriginal prisoners would create unnecessary red tape.

 

She adds the senior deputy commissioner already has responsibility over the file.