Indigenous People are what in the Criminal Justice System?

• A. over-represented
• B. under-represented
• C. equally
• D. not specified

Answer: (A)

Indigenous people are over-represented in the Criminal Justice System. This means they are more likely than their share of the population to be policed, charged, convicted, and incarcerated. In Canada, Indigenous peoples make up a small portion of the general population but represent a disproportionately large share of inmates in provincial and federal custody, reflecting historical and ongoing impacts such as colonial legacies, socioeconomic inequities, and barriers within the justice system. This pattern shapes corrections practice, driving emphasis on culturally informed programs and Indigenous-focused supports to address root causes and reduce recidivism. The point isn’t that every Indigenous person is involved, but that the system affects Indigenous people at a higher rate than their representation in society.