Healing lodge

A healing lodge is a Canadian correctional institution designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) inmates.[1][2] Healing lodges were created to address the concern that traditional prisons do not work on aboriginal offenders.[3][4] Aboriginals are over-represented in the prison system and are also more likely to be the victims of crime.[4][5] In healing lodges, the focus is on healing[6] and reconnecting with indigenous culture while inmates serve their sentences.[6][7] Connecting to nature, participating in cultural ceremonies, and learning spiritual teachings are how Healing Lodges process the rehabilitation and healing of inmates.[8] They also have access to spiritual guidance from Elders and are encouraged to maintain connections with their families and communities.[1] Healing lodges were proposed as an alternative for Aboriginal female offenders,[9] but there are now healing lodges for Aboriginal male offenders as well. Women's healing lodges are minimum/medium-security facilities, and men's healing lodges are minimum-security facilities.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Correctional Service Canada Healing Lodges". Correctional Services Canada. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. ^ Yvonne Jewkes; Ben Crewe; Jamie Bennett (4 March 2006). Handbook on Prisons. Routledge. p. 344. ISBN 978-0415745666.
  3. ^ "Correctional Service Canada Healing Lodges". History: Correctional Services Canada. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b Andy Johnson (8 March 2013). "What is a 'healing lodge' and why does Canada's prison system need more?". CTV news. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Aboriginal people as victims and offenders". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b Lauren Kaljur; Curtis Rowland. "Elders use culture to heal Indigenous inmates from sexual violence". CBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  7. ^ Yvonne Jewkes; Ben Crewe; Jamie Bennett (4 March 2006). Handbook on Prisons. Routledge. p. 560. ISBN 978-0415745666.
  8. ^ Hyatt, Ashley (2013). "Healing Through Culture for Incarcerated Aboriginal People". Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  9. ^ Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women (September 2002). "Creating Choices:The Report Of The Task Force On Federally Sentenced Women". CHAPTER XI, Aboriginal Healing Lodge: Correctional Services Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2016.