Program and Service Needs of Federally Incarcerated Métis ...

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Métis offenders found similar results. Métis offenders in British Columbia also felt they needed access to cultural resources inside the institution and educational and employment opportunities upon release (Trevethan et al., 2002b). Findings point to the importance of services in the institutions and community that allow offenders to connect to their culture and provide the means necessary to further their education and eventually acquire stable employment. Needs of Family Members The needs of offender family members were also examined in the current study (see Table 13). Métis offenders felt that their families needed various forms of support during the period of their incarceration. More specifically, large proportions reported that their families needed support from the offender specifically (26%), a social network or support in general (21%) and financial assistance (19%). Large proportions also indicated that their family members needed more contact with the offender while in the institution (23%). Smaller proportions said their families needed to have a better understanding of the offender and their issues (12%). Similar findings emerged when offenders were asked about the needs of their families at the time of their release from federal custody. Upon release, considerable proportions of offenders reported that their family members would require various mechanisms of support. Once again, large proportions felt their families would need support from the offender (23%), financial assistance (20%) and a support system in the community (14%). Large proportions of offenders also felt that their families would need to have contact with the offender (23%) and be able to support and understand the offender while in the community (17%). Information was also gathered directly from a small number of family members. Approximately one-half (45%) of family members reported experiencing personal difficulties at the time of the interviews. The largest proportion was experiencing financial hardship (78%) and had health concerns (56%). A smaller proportion reported 26
having mental health issues (11%). Despite a large proportion experiencing personal hardship, only 13% were aware of services to assist them during the period of incarceration. Larger proportions were aware of services available at the time of release (24%). The largest proportion of family members reported needing contact with the offender during the period of incarceration (33%). However, family members also emphasized the need for support in their lives to assist them with the impact of incarceration. Over one-fifth (22%) said they required financial assistance and employment at this time. In addition, some family members indicated a need for a support network (17%) and counselling (11%). Findings were similar when families were asked about their needs at the time of release. While the largest proportion felt they needed to demonstrate support and understanding towards the offender (39%) at release, considerable proportions also reported needing financial support (28%) and assistance from a supportive social network (22%). Overall, findings suggest that families require various forms of assistance in order to address the challenges faced while the offender is incarcerated. Moreover, the needs of family members during the period of incarceration do not appear to be very different from their needs at the time of the offender's release. Both offenders and family members acknowledge the value of having a social network in place to support the family during difficult times. Similarly, Trevethan et al. (2002b) found that the family members of Métis offenders in British Columbia required a support network of friends and community members during the period of incarceration. In addition, offenders and families in the current study also acknowledge the financial burdens associated with incarceration and reintegration. Families appear to require monetary support and stable employment in order to address changes to the home economy. The needs of Métis families are likely similar to the needs of families in general. The incarceration and release of an offending family member presents unique challenges to 27
Page 1: —————— Research Report
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Métis offenders
Page 7 and 8: Needs of Métis Offenders Métis of
Page 9 and 10: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would
Page 11 and 12: INTRODUCTION The project was a coll
Page 13 and 14: In addition to comparative research
Page 15 and 16: METHOD This project is a descriptiv
Page 17 and 18: Family Interviews Each of the offen
Page 19 and 20: Interviews were conducted with offe
Page 21 and 22: offenders did not complete high sch
Page 23 and 24: were currently incarcerated for att
Page 25 and 26: potential. In contrast, significant
Page 27 and 28: elease from federal custody. Result
Page 29 and 30: currently attached to their Métis
Page 31 and 32: marital/family need, approximately
Page 33 and 34: Figure 5 Some or Considerable Need
Page 35: ased programs (i.e. anger managemen
Page 39 and 40: The amount of experience staff had
Page 41 and 42: CONCLUSION The objective of the stu
Page 43 and 44: the means necessary to further thei
Page 45 and 46: to families can serve to facilitate
Page 47 and 48: Saskatchewan Métis Justice Review
Page 49 and 50: Table 1 Demographic and Socio-econo
Page 51 and 52: Table 3 Offence Characteristics Cur
Page 53 and 54: Table 5 Community Information # % #
Page 55 and 56: Table 7 Cultural Information # % #
Page 57 and 58: Table 9 Institutional Program Parti
Page 59 and 60: Table 11 Program Participation by H
Page 61 and 62: Table 13 Family Needs # % Offender

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