Recent Research Reports from Correctional Service Canada

Correctional Service Canada, which administers federal prisons, has a research unit that periodically publishes its findings.

Here are 2 of its recent publications:

• The Adverse Childhood Experiences of Canadian Federal Offenders: "Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to instances of abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction that have been linked to a number of negative health, neurological and behavioural outcomes in adulthood. Ten ACEs have been identified in the literature: emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, violent treatment towards mother, household mental illness, household substance use, parental separation or divorce, and having an incarcerated household member (...) Results suggest that the majority of offenders (80% men; 86% women) had experienced at least one ACE. Men and Indigenous women were most likely to experience substance misuse in the household, whereas non-Indigenous women were most likely to experience abuse or neglect. Notably, Indigenous men and women had the highest rates of exposure across all ACE categories and were more likely to have exposure to multiple ACEs when compared to the other ethnocultural groups considered. Increased exposure to ACEs were associated with a number of negative institutional and community outcomes, such as substance use, institutional charges, institutional incidents as an instigator/associate or victim, recorded incidents of self-injurious behaviour, correctional program drop-out, and revocations of conditional release with and without an offence. In some cases the association between institutional and community outcomes and ACE factors varied across gender and ethnocultural groups."
• Comparing Characteristics, Institutional Adjustment, and Post-Release Success of Security Threat Groups: "The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) defines a Security Threat Group (STG) as a formal or informal offender group, gang, organization or association, consisting of three or more individuals ...  STG affiliated offenders pose a number of operational  and behavioural challenges in correctional settings. Operational staff attempt to limit the criminal activities of STGs while at the same time ensuring that offenders affiliated with STG groups who have compatibility issues are managed in separate units or institutions when necessary.  Understanding the specific characteristics and behaviours of various STG groups may assist in the management of these offenders during incarceration and identify how CSC can best support their reintegration into the community."