2025-2026 Reporting on the Calls for Justice 14.1 to 14.13: Calls for Correctional Service Canada

CSC remains committed to culturally appropriate interventions and supporting Indigenous women's reintegration.

In 2025-2026, this included exploring opportunities to enter into Section 81 agreements with interested Indigenous communities and organizations, to create options for Indigenous women to serve their sentence closer to home. CSC also worked to strengthen processes for transferring Indigenous federally sentenced persons to Section 81 facilities and CSC Healing Lodges as part of their reintegration plans.

The Management Action Plan from the audit of the Mother-Child Program, completed in spring 2025, remains on track for completion by 2027. Separately, CSC conducted consultations with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gather feedback on the Mother-Child Program. The findings will be analyzed to inform improvements to the program, with a focus on better supporting Indigenous women. A draft of the updated policy is scheduled for completion by March 2027.

CSC also is reviewing Community-Based Residential Facilities to address capacity and intersectional needs, including Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Additionally, CSC is prioritizing the review of suspension rates and cancelled suspensions to identify trends and best practices, toward the aim of encouraging Women's Supervision Units and community parole offices to explore alternatives to suspension, including halfway back community-based options, temporary voluntary residency (for example, Section 81 facilities), the use of Indigenous Suspension Review Boards, and other culturally relevant options for Indigenous women.

Finally, the Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot Program was launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Implementation across all Women Offender Institutions by early 2026 is planned. A concurrent research study is underway to assess impacts and inform future enhancements.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.1 by prioritizing the establishment of Section 81 Healing Lodges and exploring additional community-based housing opportunities for Indigenous women offenders. CSC is reviewing its programs, tools, and services to ensure they effectively support Indigenous women's reintegration needs. These measures address systemic barriers that persistently disadvantaged certain groups of offenders in custody and provide essential rehabilitation support in a culturally safe environment. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this initiative by ensuring Indigenous women have access to healing-focused, community-based alternatives to incarceration.

• Expansion of Section 81 healing lodges and safer alternatives options: CSC continues to prioritize placement in Section 81 Healing Lodges and is exploring additional culturally relevant reintegration options to provide safe alternatives to incarceration
• Culturally responsive rehabilitation programs: CSC has revised and is implementing correctional programs tailored to Indigenous women's unique needs, ensuring they have access to culturally grounded healing and rehabilitation services
• Enhanced reintegration supports: Efforts include improving Indigenous women's timely access to programs and services, including through a review of minimum-security units, and to reduce the disproportionate suspension and revocation rates of Indigenous women
• Expansion of the Mother-Child program: Policy is being reviewed with a view to removing barriers for Indigenous women to maintain familial bonds while incarcerated

CSC is committed to increasing available beds in Healing Lodges; funding will be allocated when agreements are negotiated. CSC continues to allocate resources to revise and implement correctional programming for Indigenous women. Investments in culturally relevant rehabilitation services remain a priority. There is no new funding in these areas.

CSC has established the Community Reintegration Fund to collaborate with Indigenous communities and organizations in the delivery of cultural services that support the reintegration of federally incarcerated Indigenous persons.

The Community Reintegration Fund supports proposals through contributions and contracts with Indigenous communities and organizations that support reintegration by addressing the unique cultural and spiritual needs of Indigenous offenders. Funded initiatives include support for gang disaffiliation, release and post-incarceration support, reintegration of Indigenous women, and workforce entry through mentorship and Elder support.

CSC is advancing and strengthening Section 84 release planning by developing a Section 84 Release Planning Kit for communities. The Kit will support communities and organizations participating in the Section 84 planning process.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 14.1 by delivering funding for section 84 facilities and investing in the expansion of reintegration supports and strengthened engagement with remote Indigenous communities with the aim to contribute to a more holistic and culturally responsive transition to community life. Efforts to increase awareness of Correctional Service Canada programs within Indigenous communities enhance accessibility and support continuity of care upon reintegration into the community.

• Expanded mental health and trauma services: Indigenous women offenders receive culturally appropriate mental health, trauma, and addiction services
• Increased community capacity for reintegration: Indigenous communities receive support to engage in reintegration planning and capacity development
• Enhanced cultural connections: Programs include mentorship from Elders, access to cultural teachings, and life skills training tailored to Indigenous traditions
• Reduction in recidivism: By equipping Indigenous women with support systems and tools for rehabilitation, this initiative aims to reduce reoffending
• Support for Indigenous-led healing and rehabilitation: Funds are allocated to Indigenous organizations to develop and implement community-driven reintegration programs

This work is funded on an ongoing basis by $3.5 million in existing funding (not specific to women offenders, but services are accessible to them) under the Community Reintegration Fund.

CSC remains committed to culturally appropriate interventions and supporting Indigenous women's reintegration.

In 2025-2026, this included exploring opportunities to enter into Section 81 agreements with interested Indigenous communities and organizations, to create options for Indigenous women to serve their sentence closer to home. CSC also worked to strengthen processes for transferring Indigenous federally sentenced persons to Section 81 facilities and CSC Healing Lodges as part of their reintegration plans.

The Management Action Plan from the audit of the Mother-Child Program, completed in spring 2025, remains on track for completion by 2027. Separately, CSC conducted consultations with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gather feedback on the Mother-Child Program. The findings will be analyzed to inform improvements to the program, with a focus on better supporting Indigenous women. A draft of the updated policy is scheduled for completion by March 2027.

CSC also is reviewing Community-Based Residential Facilities to address capacity and intersectional needs, including Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Additionally, CSC is prioritizing the review of suspension rates and cancelled suspensions to identify trends and best practices, toward the aim of encouraging Women's Supervision Units and community parole offices to explore alternatives to suspension, including halfway back community-based options, temporary voluntary residency (for example, Section 81 facilities), the use of Indigenous Suspension Review Boards, and other culturally relevant options for Indigenous women.

Finally, the Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot Program launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Implementation across all Women Offender Institutions by early 2026 is planned. A concurrent research study is underway to assess impacts and inform future enhancements.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.2 by prioritizing the establishment of Section 81 Healing Lodges and exploring additional community-based housing opportunities for Indigenous women offenders. CSC is reviewing its programs, tools, and services to ensure they effectively support Indigenous women's reintegration needs. These measures address systemic barriers that persistently disadvantaged certain groups of offenders in custody and provide essential rehabilitation support in a culturally safe environment. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this initiative by ensuring Indigenous women have access to healing-focused, community-based alternatives to incarceration.

• Expansion of Section 81 healing lodges and safer alternatives options: CSC continues to prioritize placement in Section 81 Healing Lodges and is exploring additional culturally relevant reintegration options to provide safe alternatives to incarceration
• Culturally responsive rehabilitation programs: CSC has revised and is implementing correctional programs tailored to Indigenous women's unique needs, ensuring they have access to culturally grounded healing and rehabilitation services
• Enhanced reintegration supports: Efforts include improving Indigenous women's timely access to programs and services, including through a review of minimum-security units, and to reduce the disproportionate suspension and revocation rates of Indigenous women
• Expansion of the Mother-Child program: Policy is being reviewed with a view to removing barriers for Indigenous women to maintain familial bonds while incarcerated

CSC is committed to increasing available beds in Healing Lodges; funding will be allocated when agreements are negotiated. CSC continues to allocate resources to revise and implement correctional programming for Indigenous women. Investments in culturally relevant rehabilitation services remain a priority. There is no new funding in these areas.

CSC has established the Community Reintegration Fund to collaborate with Indigenous communities and organizations in the delivery of cultural services that support the reintegration of federally incarcerated Indigenous persons.

The Community Reintegration Fund supports proposals through contributions and contracts with Indigenous communities and organizations that support reintegration by addressing the unique cultural and spiritual needs of Indigenous offenders. Funded initiatives include support for gang disaffiliation, release and post-incarceration support, reintegration of Indigenous women, and workforce entry through mentorship and Elder support.

CSC is advancing and strengthening Section 84 release planning by developing a Section 84 Release Planning Kit for communities. The Kit will support communities and organizations participating in the Section 84 planning process.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 14.2 by delivering funding for section 84 facilities and investing in the expansion of reintegration supports and strengthened engagement with remote Indigenous communities with the aim to contribute to a more holistic and culturally responsive transition to community life. Efforts to increase awareness of Correctional Service Canada programs within Indigenous communities enhance accessibility and support continuity of care upon reintegration into the community.

• Expanded mental health and trauma services: Indigenous women offenders receive culturally appropriate mental health, trauma, and addiction services
• Increased community capacity for reintegration: Indigenous communities receive support to engage in reintegration planning and capacity development
• Enhanced cultural connections: Programs include mentorship from Elders, access to cultural teachings, and life skills training tailored to Indigenous traditions
• Reduction in recidivism: By equipping Indigenous women with support systems and tools for rehabilitation, this initiative aims to reduce reoffending
• Support for Indigenous-led healing and rehabilitation: Funds are allocated to Indigenous organizations to develop and implement community-driven reintegration programs

This work is funded on an ongoing basis by $3.5 million in existing funding (not specific to women offenders, but services are accessible to them) under the Community Reintegration Fund.

CSC is:

• Reducing barriers to the full utilization of existing Section 81 Healing Lodge agreements
• Creating new agreements through relationship building and renewed partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations
• Removing barriers and increasing supportive releases for Indigenous women in home communities

CSC's funding for Section 81 Healing Lodges responds to Call for Justice 14.2 by sustaining Indigenous-led and Indigenous-partnered Healing Lodges. By reducing barriers to the full utilization of existing Section 81 agreements, CSC can ensure funded capacity is consistently used and that operational funding supports consistent staffing, programming, and services for Indigenous women and other Indigenous offenders in Healing Lodge settings. Efforts to create new agreements through relationship building and renewed partnerships expand the number and scope of Section 81 placements. Work to remove barriers and increase supportive releases for Indigenous women in home communities also strengthens the continuum between Section 81 facilities and Section 84 release pathways, where comparable resources for release planning, community-based supports, and supervision are required to make community placements viable and safe. CSC's Section 81 Strategic Action Plan provides an accountability mechanism to track progress over time, including whether funding models and service levels for Section 81/84 are aligning with CSC-operated standards.

• Expanded access to Indigenous-led Healing Lodge placements: Reducing barriers to full utilization of existing Section 81 agreements increases uptake of funded capacity and supports more consistent delivery of culturally grounded staffing, programming, and reintegration planning for Indigenous women and other Indigenous offenders
• Stronger community-based reintegration: New Section 81 agreements and increased supportive releases to home communities strengthen the Section 81/84 continuum, building the operational conditions for comparable service levels and resourcing with CSC-operated facilities

Building on previous research, CSC's Research Branch is working in collaboration with Indigenous partners to develop culturally responsive and evidence-informed approaches to improve the assessment and classification of federally sentenced Indigenous individuals. These efforts aim to reduce systemic bias, address potential overclassification, and enhance access to rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities.

CSC's Research Branch is also examining means of incorporating dynamic measures alongside static risk measures into service delivery with Indigenous peoples, as well as exploring potential strengths and protective factors that may mitigate risk. Elements of co-design and inclusive research design will be incorporated where possible.

To support these initiatives, CSC's Research Branch has established the Research Advisory Council of the People of the Land. This Council includes Indigenous Elders, researchers, academics, and community leaders, and will play a central role in guiding culturally respectful research practices. It ensures that Indigenous perspectives, teachings, and worldviews are meaningfully integrated into research design and implementation.

These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts of CSC's Research Branch to provide evidence-based knowledge gathered using culturally sensitive approaches to enhance CSC operational decision-making.

Each year, CSC provides a public update on progress in this area.

Following consultation, CSC has drafted an Interim Policy Bulletin for inmates who reside in a women's institution and are classified as maximum security. This Interim Policy Bulletin establishes that a case conference must occur no later than every six months for federally sentenced women who are classified as maximum security. The Interim Policy Bulletin is currently awaiting final approval and preparation for promulgation.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.3 by ensuring that security classification scales and risk assessment tools account for the unique backgrounds, needs, and realities of Indigenous individuals in federal custody. The initiative prioritizes the integration of gender-sensitive, culturally relevant, and Indigenous-informed ways of knowing into the classification process. Research efforts are aimed at mitigating systemic biases that have contributed to the over-classification of Indigenous offenders to higher security levels, thereby improving access to rehabilitation opportunities and community reintegration pathways. By refining security classification processes, this initiative cultivates an approach that is not only evidence-based but also supports the self-determination and healing of Indigenous individuals within the correctional system.

Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this program through increased fairness in classification decisions, improved reintegration prospects, and a correctional approach that is more responsive to Indigenous cultural and social contexts.

• Culturally responsive classification tools: Research and development of security classification frameworks that incorporate Indigenous perspectives and cultural considerations
• Enhanced rehabilitation pathways: Improved classification methods contribute to better access to correctional programming, education, and healing initiatives for Indigenous individuals
• Reduced overclassification: Identification of systemic biases in existing risk assessment tools helps reduce unnecessary placement of Indigenous offenders in high-security settings
• Community-centered engagement: Collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders ensures that classification practices align with community values and support reintegration efforts

The initiative is supported internally by CSC's Research Branch.

Building on previous research, CSC's Research Branch is working in collaboration with Indigenous partners to develop culturally responsive and evidence-informed approaches to improve the assessment and classification of federally sentenced Indigenous individuals. These efforts aim to reduce systemic bias, address potential overclassification, and enhance access to rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities.

CSC's Research Branch is also examining means of incorporating dynamic measures alongside static risk measures into service delivery with Indigenous peoples, as well as exploring potential strengths and protective factors that may mitigate risk. Elements of co-design and inclusive research design will be incorporated where possible.

To support these initiatives, CSC's Research Branch has established the Research Advisory Council of the People of the Land. This Council includes Indigenous Elders, researchers, academics, and community leaders, and will play a central role in guiding culturally respectful research practices. It ensures that Indigenous perspectives, teachings, and worldviews are meaningfully integrated into research design and implementation.

These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts of CSC's Research Branch to provide evidence-based knowledge gathered using culturally sensitive approaches to enhance CSC operational decision-making.

Each year, CSC provides a public update on progress in this area.

Following consultation, CSC has drafted an Interim Policy Bulletin for inmates who reside in a women's institution and are classified as maximum security. This Interim Policy Bulletin establishes that a case conference must occur no later than every six months for federally sentenced women who are classified as maximum security. The Interim Policy Bulletin is currently awaiting final approval and preparation for promulgation.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.4 by ensuring that security classification scales and risk assessment tools account for the unique backgrounds, needs, and realities of Indigenous individuals in federal custody. The initiative prioritizes the integration of gender-sensitive, culturally relevant, and Indigenous-informed ways of knowing into the classification process. Research efforts are aimed at mitigating systemic biases that have contributed to the over-classification of Indigenous offenders to higher security levels, thereby improving access to rehabilitation opportunities and community reintegration pathways. By refining security classification processes, this initiative cultivates an approach that is not only evidence-based but also supports the self-determination and healing of Indigenous individuals within the correctional system.

Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this program through increased fairness in classification decisions, improved reintegration prospects, and a correctional approach that is more responsive to Indigenous cultural and social contexts.

• Culturally responsive classification tools: Research and development of security classification frameworks that incorporate Indigenous perspectives and cultural considerations
• Enhanced rehabilitation pathways: Improved classification methods contribute to better access to correctional programming, education, and healing initiatives for Indigenous individuals
• Reduced overclassification: Identification of systemic biases in existing risk assessment tools helps reduce unnecessary placement of Indigenous offenders in high-security settings
• Community-centered engagement: Collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders ensures that classification practices align with community values and support reintegration efforts

The initiative is supported internally by CSC's Research Branch.

• CSC continued to review and implement correctional programs and practices tailored to Indigenous women's unique needs, with a particular focus on ensuring they have access to culturally grounded healing and rehabilitation services.
• In Fall 2025, the Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Pilot Program was launched, and will be offered over an 18-month period.
• A case management bulletin to remind CSC staff members of their obligations to ensure Indigenous Social History, mental health considerations and victim concerns are included in the decision-making process.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.5 by operationalizing Gladue-informed decision-making across the full corrections continuum for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people, so that decisions reflect Indigenous Social History and are tailored to needs, safety, and rehabilitation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

• More consistent Gladue-informed decisions across corrections: Reinforces CSC case management expectations so Indigenous Social History, mental health considerations, and victim concerns are systematically reflected in security classification, program referrals, institutional decisions, and release planning for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
• Improved access to culturally grounded rehabilitation supports: Ongoing tailoring of programs and the Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Pilot Program expand healing- and rehabilitation-focused interventions aligned to Indigenous women's needs, supporting safer reintegration outcomes over time.

The Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Launch of the Pilot continues with three of six sites in the implementation phase.

CSC's Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Programs stream responds to Call for Justice 14.6 by providing culturally responsive correctional programming and Indigenous healing at women's institutions.

• Curriculum content: IWOCP teaches emotion management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, and emphasizes healthy relationships and positive lifestyles, directly countering pro-violence beliefs and behaviours within the correctional setting
• Culturally grounded delivery: All program streams include Elder involvement and culturally relevant teachings/ceremonies; identity building and empowerment are explicit goals, important for unlearning violence that has been normalized through colonial harms
• Continuation & reinforcement: Self-management and modular interventions (including secure-unit modules for Indigenous women) reinforce anti-violence skills during sentence and into community supervision, sustaining behaviour change
• Healing-focused environments: Women's healing lodges (for example, Okimaw Ohci, and Section 81 lodges like Buffalo Sage and Eagle Women's Lodge) provide culturally safe spaces that centre non-violence, community connection, and Elder guidance, further denormalizing violence in daily routines

CSC has established the Community Reintegration Fund to collaborate with Indigenous communities and organizations in the delivery of cultural services that support the reintegration of federally incarcerated Indigenous persons.

The Community Reintegration Fund supports proposals through contributions and contracts with Indigenous communities and organizations that support reintegration by addressing the unique cultural and spiritual needs of Indigenous offenders. Funded initiatives include support for gang disaffiliation, release and post-incarceration support, reintegration of Indigenous women, and workforce entry through mentorship and Elder support.

CSC is advancing and strengthening Section 84 release planning by developing a Section 84 Release Planning Kit for communities. The Kit will support communities and organizations participating in the Section 84 planning process.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 14.6 by delivering trauma-informed services, addiction treatment, and life skills counseling to support the mental health and well-being of incarcerated Indigenous women. It also includes gang disaffiliation programming with the aim of addressing one of the underlying factors responsible for cycles of incarceration. The expansion of reintegration supports and strengthened engagement with remote Indigenous communities contribute to a more holistic and culturally responsive transition to community life. Efforts to increase awareness of Correctional Service Canada programs within Indigenous communities enhance accessibility and support continuity of care upon reintegration into the community.

By prioritizing mental health services and culturally grounded reintegration support, this initiative acknowledges the impacts of colonial violence, intergenerational trauma, and systemic discrimination on Indigenous women in the criminal justice system. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this program through improved reintegration outcomes, reduced recidivism rates, and stronger community connections that foster healing and long-term well-being.

• Expanded mental health and trauma services: Indigenous women offenders receive culturally appropriate mental health, trauma, and addiction services
• Increased community capacity for reintegration: Indigenous communities receive support to engage in reintegration planning and capacity development
• Enhanced cultural connections: Programs include mentorship from Elders, access to cultural teachings, and life skills training tailored to Indigenous traditions
• Reduction in recidivism: By equipping Indigenous women with support systems and tools for rehabilitation, this initiative aims to reduce reoffending
• Support for Indigenous-led healing and rehabilitation: Funds are allocated to Indigenous organizations to develop and implement community-driven reintegration programs

This work is funded on an ongoing basis by $3.5 million in existing funding (not specific to women offenders, but services are accessible to them) under the Community Reintegration Fund.

In 2025-2026, $280,812 was allocated to Pelican Lake First Nation to create a culturally grounded justice team through specialized training, job shadowing neighboring communities, and building community partnerships. This team is responsible for building a Wholistic Restorative Action Prevention Plan tailored to their community's customs, traditions, and needs.

In 2025-2026, the City of Cambell River received $37,331 to hire an Indigenous Restorative Justice Worker (IRJW) to increase the capacity of the Campbell River Restorative Justice Program (RJ Program) and work with local First Nation communities to provide culturally aware, trauma-informed services.

In 2025-2026, the Warriors Against Violence Society (WAVS) received $136,330 for their capacity building project Mamook Kloshe Community Safe Hub – An Alternative to Incarceration. This funding will be used by WAVS to develop the Safe Hub model as an evidence-backed, Indigenous-led, community-based alternative to incarceration and recidivism towards a greater wellness and safety for Indigenous families and the larger community.

ICCI responds to part of Call for Justice 14.6 by funding projects that can provide comprehensive mental health, addictions, and trauma services to justice-involved Indigenous Peoples during their reintegration process. Services are provided on an as-needed basis for the duration of the projects are not tied on sentencing length or incarceration duration. ICCI participants will receive the holistic and culturally appropriate supports they need to heal and reintegrate into communities successfully, with a view to reducing the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system.

• Culturally appropriate support services: Indigenous offenders receive a variety of culturally appropriate support services rooted in Indigenous knowledge and practices
• Alternatives to incarceration: ICCI promotes community-based justice initiatives and fosters restorative approaches
• Gender-specific and inclusive programming: Services are expanded and tailored to specifically address the needs of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals involved with the criminal justice system
• Community-led reintegration efforts: ICCI funds grassroots organizations that work with Indigenous offenders in transitioning back to their communities with the necessary services and support structures in place

In 2022, the federal government committed $56.01 million over five years, starting in 2023 with $5.21 million and $12.7 million per year in ongoing funding thereafter to support implementation of ICCI.

CSC will continue to support the region and site to manage budget for the resources at OOHL. The main need identified at this time, is a work release coordinator, who will escort the women on escorted temporary absences and work releases. CSC has provided the necessary funding for securing this service for fiscal year 2025-2026. Should this position be maintained, a source of funding will need to be identified.

The initiative responds to Call for Justice 14.6 by working to secure adequate funding to address staffing needs and enhance rehabilitative support and ensuring culturally safe services and resources for incarcerated Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This initiative benefits Indigenous families, survivors and communities by ensuring Indigenous women in custody receive the culturally responsive support necessary for their rehabilitation and reintegration.

• Supports Indigenous healing: Supports Indigenous women's rehabilitation and healing through culturally relevant programming
• Strengthens Indigenous leadership: Nekaneet First Nation plays an active role in hiring and staffing decisions
• Enhances reintegration opportunities: Enhances access to community-based reintegration opportunities, including escorted absences and work releases
• Addresses staffing and funding gaps: Seeks to understand gaps in funding and staffing to ensure OOHL is equipped with adequate resources needed to operate at full capacity
• Upholds Indigenous correctional models: Upholds Indigenous-led correctional models as viable alternatives to mainstream incarceration

Reintegration Support Funding of $43,363 was provided to OOHL for fiscal year 2025-2026.

While CSC's policies allow for transfers of women to Regional Treatment Centres for men, these would be completed only in exceptional circumstances, and only done on the recommendation of a physician. All reasonable alternative options would be considered prior to such a transfer.

The CSC policy and protections related to the use of men's Regional Treatment Centres for women responds to part of Call for Justice 14.7 by limiting the practice of allowing for transfers of women to these centers and considering a number of other options instead. The rule narrows the use to emergency circumstances and short term periods only.

CSC continues to advance the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy, which guides its approach to Inuit corrections through healing, reintegration, and strengthened cultural connections. The strategy is supported by the Anijaarniq Strategy Working Group (ASWG), established in May 2024, and composed of Inuit organizations (including those representing Inuit women), territorial governments, CSC leadership, and representatives from all four Inuit land claim regions. ASWG's work emphasizes recruitment of Inuit Elders and staff, repatriation of Inuit offenders, implementation of Inuit‑specific programming, Inuit Cultural Awareness training for CSC staff, and greater engagement with Inuit communities. The ASWG also discusses and supports improvements in policy, services and reintegration planning.

CSC continues to deliver Inuit Cultural Awareness training intended for frontline staff working in Inuit Centres of Excellence with the goal of strengthening cultural competency, promoting Inuit‑specific approaches to care, and ensuring services are better tailored to Inuit realities. CSC continues to make progress in culturally responsive reintegration and community‑based supports through contracting Inuit Elders and Spiritual Advisors, reducing language barriers through Inuktitut translation and interpretation service agreements and issuing guidance intended to reduce isolation and support culturally informed placement decisions for federally serving Inuit. A service agreement with the Labrador Correctional Centre expands opportunities for Inuit offenders from Nunatsiavut to remain closer to their communities while serving a federal sentence. Through the Community Reintegration Fund the Makivik Justice Department in Quebec are working together to streamline communication, strengthen community driven reintegration planning, and ensure coordinated support for Inuit offenders returning home. Through the same fund, the Iqaluit Community Tukisigiarvik Society in Iqaluit, Nunavut is engaged in outreach and engagement of their community in support of Section 81 and 84 development. Overall, the goal these initiatives are to enhance community engagement, improve continuity of care, and support successful, culturally grounded reintegration for Inuit offenders.

The Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 14.8 by advancing the principle of culturally grounded, distinctions-based programming. The Anijaarniq Holistic Strategy Working Group ensures guidance and direction is provided to CSC in terms of Inuit specific needs in program development.

• Distinctions-based corrections pathway for Inuit: Provides Inuit-specific correctional pathways that better reflect Inuit culture, language, spirituality, and Inuit Nunangat realities, reducing reliance on generic models that can be misaligned with Inuit needs and contexts
• Stronger cultural continuity across the sentence continuum: Inuit Centres of Excellence, culturally specific programming, and access to Elders/Workers embed Inuit knowledge and values from intake through reintegration, supporting identity affirmation and culturally safe engagement for Inuit in custody
• Safer, more effective reintegration to Inuit Nunangat: By prioritizing return "at home," the strategy strengthens reintegration planning that is geographically and socially realistic for Inuit communities, helping reduce destabilizing dislocation and supporting continuity of supports on release
• Improved release planning with Inuit communities (Section 84): Emphasis on Section 84 planning supports more structured collaboration with Inuit communities and service partners, enabling releases that are better aligned with community capacity, supervision approaches, and local reintegration supports
• Strengthens Inuit partnership and Inuit-led guidance in program design: The Anijaarniq Holistic Strategy Working Group provides ongoing direction to CSC on Inuit-specific needs, supporting more accountable, Inuit-informed policy and program development over time

By the end of fiscal year 2025-2026, CSC is planning to have 11 operational body scanners at federal institutions, three of which are women offender institutions.

Body scanners were introduced to reduce the use of routine strip searches and to contribute to the reduction of the introduction and movement of contraband. By providing a less intrusive alternative that maintains institutional security, body scanners help preserve inmate dignity while supporting searching and safety protocols. Where a body scan search is authorized under section 48.1 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act or section 48 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations, it shall be conducted instead of a strip search, if a prescribed body scanner is in the area where the strip search would normally be conducted. Additionally, the body scanner must be in proper working order, trained staff must be available to perform the search, and it must be possible to carry out the search safely.

New Body Scanner technologies respond to Call for Justice 14.8 by supporting trauma-informed practice through the introduction of a procedural safeguard and therefore minimizing re-traumatization caused by strip searches.

• Reduces re-traumatizing search practices: Replaces strip searches with less invasive scanning, lowering the risk of degrading and triggering procedures for people with histories of sexualized violence, particularly Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people who are disproportionately incarcerated.
• Strengthens dignity, privacy, and procedural fairness: Shifts search practice toward approaches that better protect bodily autonomy and human dignity, supporting a more trauma-informed environment for individuals in custody.
• Improves institutional safety while reducing escalation risk: Provides a tool to detect contraband without requiring invasive physical searches, helping maintain security while potentially reducing confrontation, distress, and associated behavioural incidents.
• Supports culturally safer conditions for Indigenous people in custody: By minimizing invasive procedures that can replicate patterns of coercion and control linked to colonial and carceral harms, body scanners can contribute to safer day-to-day conditions for Indigenous individuals and to improved trust in institutional processes.

The Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot Program launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Launch of the Pilot continues with three of six sites in the implementation phase.

CSC's culturally responsive correctional programming and Indigenous healing at women's institutions responds to Call for Justice 14.8 by working to ensure correctional facilities recognize the needs of Indigenous women when designing and implementing programming, resulting in women-centred and trauma informed programming.

• Curriculum content: IWOCP teaches emotion management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, and emphasizes healthy relationships and positive lifestyles, directly countering pro-violence beliefs and behaviours within the correctional setting.
• Culturally grounded delivery: All program streams include Elder involvement and culturally relevant teachings/ceremonies; identity building and empowerment are explicit goals, important for unlearning violence that has been normalized through colonial harms.
• Continuation & reinforcement: Self-management and modular interventions (including secure-unit modules for Indigenous women) reinforce anti-violence skills during sentence and into community supervision, sustaining behaviour change
• Healing-focused environments: Women's healing lodges (for example, Okimaw Ohci, and Section 81 lodges like Buffalo Sage and Eagle Women's Lodge) provide culturally safe spaces that centre non-violence, community connection, and Elder guidance, further denormalizing violence in daily routines

CSC remains committed to culturally appropriate interventions and supporting Indigenous women's reintegration.

In 2025-2026, this included exploring opportunities to enter into Section 81 agreements with interested Indigenous communities and organizations, to create options for Indigenous women to serve their sentence closer to home. CSC also worked to strengthen processes for transferring Indigenous federally sentenced persons to Section 81 facilities and CSC Healing Lodges as part of their reintegration plans.

The Management Action Plan from the audit of the Mother-Child Program, completed in spring 2025, remains on track for completion by 2027. Separately, CSC conducted consultations with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gather feedback on the Mother-Child Program. The findings will be analyzed to inform improvements to the program, with a focus on better supporting Indigenous women. A draft of the updated policy is scheduled for completion by March 2027.

CSC also is reviewing Community-Based Residential Facilities to address capacity and intersectional needs, including Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Additionally, CSC is prioritizing the review of suspension rates and cancelled suspensions to identify trends and best practices, toward the aim of encouraging Women's Supervision Units and community parole offices to explore alternatives to suspension, including halfway back community-based options, temporary voluntary residency (for example, Section 81 facilities), the use of Indigenous Suspension Review Boards, and other culturally relevant options for Indigenous women.

Finally, the Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Implementation across all Women Offender Institutions by early 2026 is planned. A concurrent research study is underway to assess impacts and inform future enhancements.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 14.8 by acknowledging and addressing the distinct needs of Indigenous women offenders. CSC is revising Indigenous programming to provide an immersive cultural environment for rehabilitation. Additionally, CSC has taken steps to ensure correctional programming considers Indigenous women's lived realities, including intergenerational trauma and culturally appropriate healing practices. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this initiative by ensuring Indigenous women in the correctional system receive culturally safe and trauma-informed rehabilitation services.

• Expansion of Section 81 healing lodges and safer alternatives options: CSC continues to prioritize placement in Section 81 Healing Lodges and is exploring additional culturally relevant reintegration options to provide safe alternatives to incarceration
• Culturally responsive rehabilitation programs: CSC has revised and is implementing correctional programs tailored to Indigenous women's unique needs, ensuring they have access to culturally grounded healing and rehabilitation services
• Enhanced reintegration supports: Efforts include improving Indigenous women's timely access to programs and services, including through a review of minimum-security units, and to reduce the disproportionate suspension and revocation rates of Indigenous women
• Expansion of the Mother-Child program: Policy is being reviewed with a view to removing barriers for Indigenous women to maintain familial bonds while incarcerated

CSC is committed to increasing available beds in Healing Lodges; funding will be allocated when agreements are negotiated. CSC continues to allocate resources to revise and implement correctional programming for Indigenous women. Investments in culturally relevant rehabilitation services remain a priority. There is no new funding in these areas.

CSC continues to support employment and skills development for Indigenous women through:

• Indigenous Offender Employment Initiative, including transitional employment opportunities via CORCAN community industries.
• National Employability Skills Program (NESP): A cultural and gender-informed curriculum for Indigenous women, delivered in partnership with Native Counselling Services of Alberta. Between April 2024 and September 2025, 74 Indigenous women completed the program.
• Planned pilot at one women's institution to expand opportunities for ETAs, UTAs, and Work Release, enabling women to attend community-based programming for personal development, cultural engagement, and vocational training through local partnerships.
• Providing funding to Indigenous organizations so they can offer needs-based and culturally responsive reintegration support for federally sentenced Indigenous Peoples
• Providing Indigenous women with employment and employability skills training through the Indigenous Offender Employment Initiative
• Increasing engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities, regarding reintegration, through our partners
• Working to expand the national Offender Digital Education initiative, which was based on the Digital Education Project pilot. The Digital Education Project blends in-class and computer-based approaches that help federally sentenced individuals to achieve their educational goals. Through this pilot, a range of courses are offered, including Indigenous course material and resources that specifically address the learning needs of federally sentenced Indigenous Peoples
• Partnering with local organizations and post-secondary institutions to offer education courses that incorporate Indigenous content, language and culture

CSC's work to expand vocational training, secondary school completion, and post-secondary education opportunities responds to Call for Justice 14.9 by strengthening access to education and employability pathways that support rehabilitation and safer reintegration for federally sentenced Indigenous people, including women and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Expanded access to culturally responsive education and training pathways: Investments in vocational and digital education (including Offender Digital Education) and partnerships with post-secondary institutions increase opportunities for secondary completion and further education that incorporate Indigenous content, language, and culture
• Stronger employment readiness and reintegration supports for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people: Indigenous Offender Employment Initiative employability training and community reintegration funding delivered with Indigenous organizations strengthen education-to-employment transitions and continuity of supports in the community after release

The Indigenous Women Offender Correctional Program Pilot Program launched in August 2025. The program incorporates updated materials developed with guidance from an Elders' Advisory Committee and includes ongoing feedback from Elders and federally sentenced Indigenous women. Launch of the Pilot continues with three of six sites in the implementation phase.

CSC's culturally responsive correctional programming and Indigenous healing at women's institutions responds to Call for Justice 14.5 by relying on the Research Advisory Council of the People of the Land to guide culturally respectful practices and ensure that Indigenous perspectives are integrated in to the work and implementation of the program.

• Curriculum content: IWOCP teaches emotion management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, and emphasizes healthy relationships and positive lifestyles, directly countering pro-violence beliefs and behaviours within the correctional setting.
• Culturally grounded delivery: All program streams include Elder involvement and culturally relevant teachings/ceremonies; identity building and empowerment are explicit goals, important for unlearning violence that has been normalized through colonial harms.
• Continuation & reinforcement: Self-management and modular interventions (including secure-unit modules for Indigenous women) reinforce anti-violence skills during sentence and into community supervision, sustaining behaviour change
• Healing-focused environments: Women's healing lodges (for example, Okimaw Ohci, and Section 81 lodges like Buffalo Sage and Eagle Women's Lodge) provide culturally safe spaces that centre non-violence, community connection, and Elder guidance, further denormalizing violence in daily routines

CSC met with the National Elder Working Group (NEWG) in May and September and plans to meet once more this fiscal year. Through their wisdom and lived experiences, they shape culturally grounded approaches to healing and rehabilitation. They provided guidance on the Lifer Strategy and Women Offender initiatives being developed. They reviewed the Indigenous Corrections Programs and Mental Health Framework and provided feedback. They also shared the continued need to strive for reconciliation and the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in all correctional planning.

CSC is updating policies and creating guides and tools to ensure consistency, accountability and clarity in decision-making and in operations. This includes the following documents which will be finalized this fiscal year:

• updating CD 702 Indigenous Initiatives which will provide clear roles and responsibilities for the management of Elder and Spiritual Advisor contracts
• creating the Walking in a Good Way with Elders and Spiritual Advisors: A Guide for CSC Staff, which will support staff in honouring Indigenous wisdom by walking together in balance, respect and humility
• creating the Guide to Culturally Responsive Indigenous Interventions in consultation with Elders providing services to CSC, to help case management staff better integrate Indigenous cultural practices, and their outcomes, into correctional planning.

CSC's consultation with the National Elders Working Group, the Indigenous Research Advisory Circle, and other regional and national discussions with Elders responds to Call for Justice 14.5 by increasing and enhancing Elders participation is decision-making that will allow for culturally respectful practices to be integrated into a variety of policies and programs.

• Curriculum content: IWOCP teaches emotion management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, and emphasizes healthy relationships and positive lifestyles, directly countering pro-violence beliefs and behaviours within the correctional setting.
• Culturally grounded delivery: All program streams include Elder involvement and culturally relevant teachings/ceremonies; identity building and empowerment are explicit goals, important for unlearning violence that has been normalized through colonial harms.
• Continuation & reinforcement: Self-management and modular interventions (including secure-unit modules for Indigenous women) reinforce anti-violence skills during sentence and into community supervision, sustaining behaviour change
• Healing-focused environments: Women's healing lodges (for example, Okimaw Ohci, and Section 81 lodges like Buffalo Sage and Eagle Women's Lodge) provide culturally safe spaces that centre non-violence, community connection, and Elder guidance, further denormalizing violence in daily routines

• The Management Action Plan from the audit of the Mother-Child Program (MCP), completed in spring 2025, remains on track for completion by 2027. The MCP framework was reviewed and updated to incorporate audit recommendations and align with identified needs
• Separately, CSC conducted consultations with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gather feedback on the MCP. An action plan, reflecting the feedback grounded in lived experience and practical recommendations, is being developed to inform improvements to the program, with a focus on better supporting Indigenous women
• CSC has enhanced the MCP through a broader definition of "mother," revised eligibility criteria, and increased awareness among incarcerated women, with a focus on Indigenous women. A draft policy is expected by March 2027
• Reviewing Community-Based Residential Facilities to assess capacity, specializations, and accommodations to meet the varied needs of women in the community, including mothers

The MCP responds to Call for Justice 14.11 by removing barriers for Indigenous women to maintain familial bonds while incarcerated.

• Facilitated contact with legal actors and family courts: The MCP designates a Mother-Child Coordinator who "coordinates and/or facilitates the mother's interactions…with lawyers [and] family court to ensure parental and/or legal responsibilities are met," improving practical access to counsel and proceedings from inside an institution.
• Temporary absences for parental/legal responsibilities: Institutional Heads must ensure a process to apply for Escorted Temporary Absences (ETAs) under Commissioner's Directive 710-3 for parental responsibility, which can include attending court-related obligations that affect the child. This enables in-person participation where appropriate.
• Structured liaison with child-welfare agencies: The Mother-Child Coordinator follows up with relevant child-welfare agencies, and eligibility requires CWA support, creating a channel to address court orders, visitation plans, and custody issues that often require legal assistance.
• Documentation and recognition of court orders: Eligibility criteria explicitly consider existing court orders that govern mother–child contact, embedding legal constraints/rights into case management and prompting early legal consultation when needed.
• Continuity planning around release and re-entry: MCP procedures tie release planning to continued care of the child, which often intersects with family-law requirements, again prompting coordination with counsel and courts.

Each women's institution receives an annual allocation of $50 000 to administer the MCP. Additionally, each site is provided $250 per incarcerated woman to support MCP delivery. Institutions are responsible for distributing these funds and organizing services and programs according to the needs of the women in their care. As for the Resourcing Indicators, the salary of a 0.5 Full Time Employee – Social Program Officer – is allocated for the Mother-Child Coordinator Position at 5 of 6 institutions.

To learn more about programming available to support men and boys, and other offenders please see: Programs for offenders.

CSC responds to part of Call for Justice 14.12 through its wide range of programming and services to confront and address criminal behaviour in men and boys who commit violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

By the end of fiscal year 2025-2026, CSC is planning to have 11 operational body scanners at federal institutions, three of which are women offender institutions.

Body scanners were introduced to reduce the use of routine strip searches and to contribute to the reduction of the introduction and movement of contraband. By providing a less intrusive alternative that maintains institutional security, body scanners help preserve inmate dignity while supporting searching and safety protocols. Where a body scan search is authorized under section 48.1 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act or section 48 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations, it shall be conducted instead of a strip search, if a prescribed body scanner is in the area where the strip search would normally be conducted. Additionally, the body scanner must be in proper working, trained staff must be available to perform the search, and it must be possible to carry out the search safely.

New Body Scanner technologies respond to Call for Justice 14.13 by providing a technological alternative that reduces the need for strip searches, addressing a practice widely recognized as harmful and re-traumatizing. Correctional Service Canada agrees that this is a partial safeguard to replace routine strip searches where applicable.

• Reduces re-traumatizing search practices: Replaces strip searches with less invasive scanning, lowering the risk of degrading and triggering procedures for people with histories of sexualized violence, particularly Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people who are disproportionately incarcerated.
• Strengthens dignity, privacy, and procedural fairness: Shifts search practice toward approaches that better protect bodily autonomy and human dignity, supporting a more trauma-informed environment for individuals in custody.
• Improves institutional safety while reducing escalation risk: Provides a tool to detect contraband without requiring invasive physical searches, helping maintain security while potentially reducing confrontation, distress, and associated behavioural incidents.
• Supports culturally safer conditions for Indigenous people in custody: By minimizing invasive procedures that can replicate patterns of coercion and control linked to colonial and carceral harms, body scanners can contribute to safer day-to-day conditions for Indigenous individuals and to improved trust in institutional processes.