Impacts of the TRC and ALRC reports on Indigenous correctional programming and services: a cross-country comparison of Canada and Australia

Abstract

Indigenous peoples have been overrepresented in the Canadian and Australian criminal justice systems for decades. Commissions were established in both of the commonwealth countries, which produced reports addressing the history of colonization and overrepresentation in the justice system. The reports included calls to action and recommendations to reconcile relationships with the Indigenous populations and improve their wellbeing. This thesis compared the government responses of the Canadian provinces and the Australian state and territory with the highest levels of Indigenous overrepresentation in the correctional system, focusing on correctional programs and services. Publicly available, secondary data was collected and analyzed. Results showed that the level of accountability and action taken in response to the national inquiries varied both within and between countries, from a direct response to an absence thereof. This study can provide insight and direction for best practices in responding to both national inquiries, and the needs of Indigenous prisoners.