Program and Service Needs of Federally Incarcerated Métis ...

CONCLUSION
The objective of the study was to examine the institutional and community programming
needs of Métis offenders in Saskatchewan. In addition, the study explored the needs of
family members of Métis offenders and gauged the experience and knowledge of
institutional staff.
According to profile data, Métis offenders in Saskatchewan are in their early-30's,
uneducated and unemployed at the time of arrest. Furthermore, Métis offenders have
extensive criminal backgrounds, violent criminal offence profiles and a demonstrated
need in several criminogenic areas (i.e., personal/emotional difficulties, substance
abuse, employment and criminal associates). While the profile of Métis offenders was
fairly similar to First Nations offenders a few differences did emerge. Larger proportions
of Métis offenders were incarcerated for attempted murder and drug offences. Larger
proportions also had "some" or "considerable" need in the area of pro-criminal attitudes.
Important differences were also evident between Métis and non-Aboriginal offenders.
Greater proportions demonstrated high overall need and need for substance abuse
programming in comparison to non-Aboriginal offenders. Furthermore, Métis offenders
were more likely to be rated as having low potential for successful community
reintegration.
The childhood experiences of Métis offenders were largely characterized by instability
and disruption. Large proportions were raised by a caregiver with substance abuse
problems and experienced violence in the home. Furthermore, one-half were involved
in the child welfare system at some point in their youth, suggesting the need for
institutional interventions targeting negative developmental experiences. Other studies
suggest that these experiences are common among Métis offenders and Aboriginal
offenders in general. However, some experiences of Métis offenders still appear to be
quite different from other Aboriginal offenders. Research indicates that Métis are more
likely to have grown up in an urban environment and not speak or understand an
Aboriginal language in comparison to First Nations offenders. As such, there is
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