Program and Service Needs of Federally Incarcerated Métis ...

findings are generally consistent with past research on Métis offenders in British
Columbia. Trevethan et al. (2002b) found that large proportions were involved in
programming that addressed their criminogenic needs. Moreover, offenders considered
programs helpful. Results suggest that current correctional planning practices
appropriately match specific needs with specialized programs. Results also support the
utility of correctional programming in addressing factors related to offending behavior.
However, it is still unclear whether cultural and spiritual issues are adequately
addressed through basic programming in the institutions.
Institutional and Community Needs of Métis Offenders
A large proportion of Métis offenders were rated as having "some or considerable" need
in several criminogenic domains at intake and upon release into the community.
However, as illustrated in Figure 5, a larger proportion of offenders at admission had
"some or considerable" need for interventions targeting personal/emotional difficulties
(100% versus 92%), substance abuse (96% versus 92%), employment (80% versus
68%), associates (88% versus 84%) and marital/family (60% versus 56%) than at
release 2 . In contrast, it appears that a larger proportion of Métis offenders at release
had need in the areas of attitude (64% versus 56%) and community functioning (52%
versus 40%) than at admission. The greater need for intervention in these areas may
suggest that issues related to community adaptation and attitudes are more apparent
prior to release.
2
The analysis only included those offenders who had received an assessment at intake and upon
release (n=25).
22