Program and Service Needs of Federally Incarcerated Métis ...

to families can serve to facilitate the reintegration of offenders who return to their
families upon release. Future research should further explore the influence of families
on the reintegration process. There is also a clear need for more comparative research
focusing on offender families. Identifying similarities and differences between Métis and
non-Métis families could help CSC and Métis organizations to better understand how
the service needs of Métis families are unique.
Third, correctional staff could benefit from enhanced sensitivity training. A greater
understanding of Métis culture and offender needs among case workers may better
inform decisions made during the assessment process and the implementation of
correctional plans. Aboriginal training programs that are currently in place within CSC
could possibly be enhanced by including additional material on Métis offenders and their
culture. Outlining differences between Métis and other Aboriginal populations would be
an important component. However, it may also be necessary to implement new training
programs that focus on specific Aboriginal groups. More research is needed to
determine the needs of staff and the best ways to approach training.
Lastly, findings from this study could be used to inform the implementation of Section 81
and 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). More thorough
knowledge of Métis offender needs may help Métis organizations and CSC determine
appropriate communities for release. Findings also emphasize the need to gain a better
understanding of the services available to Métis offenders in various communities. A
second phase to the current project could involve an assessment of community needs
in the cities that Métis offenders plan to be released to.
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