Program and Service Needs of Federally Incarcerated Métis ...

potential. In contrast, significantly smaller proportions of non-Aboriginal offenders
received a low reintegration rating as compared to Métis and First Nations (43% versus
74% and 75%, respectively).
In sum, Métis offenders in Saskatchewan appeared to be in their early 30's, uneducated
and unemployed at the time of arrest. While the socio-demographic profile of Métis
offenders was not unlike that of First Nations and non-Aboriginal offenders in
Saskatchewan, results highlight a disadvantaged background. Furthermore, Métis
offenders tend to have extensive experience with the criminal justice system and are
currently serving a sentence for a violent crime. First Nations and non-Aboriginal
offenders had similar criminal backgrounds and offence profiles. However, large
proportions of Métis offenders appeared to be incarcerated for specific violent crimes
and drug-related offences. The lengthy involvement of Métis offenders in criminal
activity and the serious nature of their offending behavior was consistent with the
elevated need for programming presented at intake. Overall, Métis offenders
demonstrated high need for programming in a number of areas. While many of these
needs were similar to the needs of First Nations and non-Aboriginal offenders, there
were some differences. Larger proportions of Métis offenders had "some or
considerable" need for interventions targeting pro-criminal attitudes than First Nations
offenders. Greater proportions also demonstrated high overall need and need for
substance abuse programming than non-Aboriginal offenders. Furthermore, while
larger proportions of Métis offenders were considered to have high motivation than First
Nations and non-Aboriginal offenders, differences were non-significant.
Research is generally consistent with current findings. Métis offenders in other studies
were found to be young, often uneducated and unemployed at arrest. Moreover, these
studies have found that Métis offenders had lengthy criminal pasts, violent offence
patterns and demonstrated a multitude of criminogenic needs at intake (Moore, 2002;
Trevethan et al., 2002b). Nevertheless, findings clearly point to the importance of
offering comprehensive programming to Métis offenders inside federal facilities.
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