State of the Criminal Justice System Methodology Report
Annex A – State of the Criminal Justice System Framework
Canadians are safe and individuals and families feel safe
Ensuring that individuals, families, and communities in Canada are safe is a core outcome of the criminal justice system (CJS). Crime prevention and intervention, which aims to protect individuals, families, and communities, can achieve safety. This outcome is measured by police-reported crime, self-reported crime, and perception of personal safety.
Indicator: Police-reported crime
Breakdown: Offence type (violent/property/other Criminal Code /drug, plus further offence breakdowns)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and rate of police-reported crime in Canada. The rate measures the volume of police-reported crime per 100,000 population.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in community safety.
Why itis important: The prevalence of police-reported crime is an indicator of the safety of Canadians. A decrease in the number and rate of police-reported crime could indicate improved community safety. However, given that this indicator relies on public reporting of crime to police, an increase could also indicate more confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: Police-reported data captures information on criminal incidents that come to the attention of the police. The overall number and rate of police-reported crime measures only the volume of crime and not the severity. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Crime severity
Breakdown: Crime Severity Index/violent Crime Severity Index/non-violent Crime Severity Index/youth Crime Severity Index/youth violent Crime Severity Index/youth non-violent Crime Severity Index
What it is: This indicator represents the Crime Severity Index, which measures the volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada, and has a base index value of 100 for 2006. The Crime Severity Index was developed to address the limitation of the police-reported crime rate being driven by high-volume, relatively less serious offences. The Crime Severity Index is based on Criminal Code incidents, including traffic offences, as well as other federal statute violations. The Youth Crime Severity Index is based on the same principles as the overall Crime Severity Index, which reflects the relative seriousness of different offences, but uses the number of youth accused instead of the number of incidents reported.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in community safety.
Why it’s important: The severity of crime is an indicator of the safety of Canadians. A decrease in the Crime Severity Index could indicate improved community safety. However, given that this indicator relies on public reporting of crime to police, an increase could also indicate more confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: Police-reported data only captures information on criminal incidents that come to the attention of the police. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Self-reported victimization
Breakdown: Non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; offence type (violent victimization/household victimization/theft of personal property, plus eight specific offence types)
What it is: This indicator represents the rate of victimization incidents per 1,000 population of individuals aged 15 years and older who reported that they or their household had been the victim of at least one of the eight crimes measured by the General Social Survey in the 12 months preceding the survey. The eight offence types include sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, theft of personal property, break and enter, theft of motor vehicle or parts, theft of household property, and vandalism.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in community safety.
Why it’s important: Self-reported crime is a measure of safety in the community and may capture crimes that have not been reported to the police. A decrease in this indicator could indicate improved community safety. However, given that this indicator relies on the reporting of Canadians, an increase could also indicate more confidence to report victimization to the survey.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Satisfaction with personal safety from crime
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; vulnerable populations (non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity/immigrants/mental/psychological disability/sexual orientation/people with a history of homelessness)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals aged 15 years and older who reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their personal safety from crime.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in satisfaction with personal safety from crime.
Why it’s important: A sense of personal safety has been linked to a sense of well-being. Measures of safety are routinely included in key wellness indicators. An increase in this indicator could indicate improved feelings of safety within the community.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
The criminal justice system is fair and accessible
Ensuring the criminal justice system (CJS) is fair and accessible is a core outcome of the CJS. Fairness is defined as being treated according to the rule of law, without discrimination, while also having the circumstances of the crime and a person's individual characteristics considered throughout the process (e.g., past behaviours, lived experiences, history of victimization, mental health and substance use issues). Access to the CJS is defined as having equal access to the information and assistance that is needed to help prevent legal issues and help resolve such issues efficiently, affordably, and fairly. This outcome is measured by public perception of fairness and accessibility, use of legal assistance and relevant programs, as well as use of formal complaint mechanisms.
Indicator: Public perception that the criminal justice system is fair to all people
Breakdown: Sex; level of confidence (confident/moderately confident/not confident)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals who said they are confident or moderately confident that the criminal justice system is fair to all people. Respondents ranked their response on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as “very confident” and 1 as “not at all confident”. The scale was reduced to three categories, with 4 and 5 as “confident”, 3 as “moderately confident”, and 1 and 2 as “not confident”.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in criminal justice system fairness.
Why it’s important: The criminal justice system plays a critical role in ensuring the overall safety, wellness, and productivity of individuals. Efforts to ensure that Canada is a just and law-abiding society with an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice, directly contribute to the well-being of the country. An increase in this indicator could mean improvement in criminal justice system fairness.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: This indicator is based on the results of a survey that relies on a sample and is therefore subject to sampling errors. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: National Justice Survey, Department of Justice Canada
Indicator: Public perception that the criminal justice system is accessible to all people
Breakdown: Sex; level of confidence (confident/moderately confident/not confident)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals who said they are confident or moderately confident that the criminal justice system is accessible to all people. Respondents ranked their response on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as “very confident” and 1 as “not at all confident”. The scale was reduced to three categories, with 4 and 5 as “confident”, 3 as “moderately confident”, and 1 and 2 as “not confident”.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in access to justice.
Why it’s important: The criminal justice system plays a critical role in ensuring the overall safety, wellness, and productivity of individuals. Efforts to ensure that Canada is a just and law-abiding society with an accessible and fair system of justice, directly contribute to the well-being of the country. An increase in this indicator could mean improvement in access to justice.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: This indicator is based on the results of a survey that relies on a sample and is therefore subject to sampling errors. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: National Justice Survey, Department of Justice Canada
Indicator: Approved criminal legal aid applications
Breakdown: Adult/youth; legal aid applications (total received, total approved)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of criminal legal aid applications that were approved for full service.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in access to justice.
Why it’s important: Legal aid promotes access to justice for economically disadvantaged persons, and helps to ensure that the Canadian criminal justice system is fair, relevant and accessible and that public confidence in the justice system is maintained. An increase in this indicator could mean improved access to justice.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data, with the exception of Nunavut for which information is not available.
Limitation: The indicator reflects the number of individual requests for assistance, rather than the total number of persons seeking assistance. Approved legal aid application counts refer to full service applications only. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Legal Aid Survey, Department of Justice Canada
Indicator: Clients served by the Indigenous Courtwork Program
Breakdown: Adult/youth; sex; type of client (with charge, without charge)
What it is: This indicator represents the number of clients served by the Indigenous Courtwork Program.
Direction of improvement: The direction of improvement in this indicator is neutral (i.e., not clear).
Why it’s important: The purpose of the Indigenous Courtwork Program is to help Indigenous individuals involved in the criminal justice system obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment. This is done by providing information to accused persons and their families, referrals to resources and services, providing assistance to victims and survivors, witnesses and family members, promoting and facilitating practical, community-based justice initiatives, and advocating for Indigenous individuals. An increase could mean a greater reach of the program, but also a greater number of Indigenous individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. As such, the indicator should be interpreted with caution and in relation to data on the number of Indigenous individuals in contact with the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data, with the exception of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick which do not currently have programs. These jurisdictions may establish programs at a later date. For more detailed notes on geographic coverage, click on the export to spreadsheet function.
Limitation: The total not necessarily represent all reporting jurisdictions, as there are variations in the availability of data for certain jurisdictions and years. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Indigenous Courtwork Program, Department of Justice Canada
Indicator: Pre-trial detention/remand
Breakdown: Adult/youth; type of custody (pre-trial detention/remand/sentenced custody)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of adults and youth held in custody in pre-trial detention/remand based on average daily counts. Pre-trial detention is the temporary detention of a youth in provincial or territorial custody, while awaiting trial or sentencing. Remand is the detention of an adult temporarily detained in provincial or territorial custody, while awaiting trial or sentencing. The Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act specify conditions under which an individual can be detained in pre-trial detention/remand, such as to ensure attendance in court, protect the public, including victims and witnesses, and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in fairness and access to justice.
Why it’s important: While remand/pre-trial detention plays a role in the protection of society and the administration of justice, increases in the number and proportion of people held in remand/pre-trial detention may present deeper systemic issues. This includes issues related to legal rights (e.g., presumption of innocence), human rights (e.g., poor conditions, overcrowding, lack of correctional programming), access to justice, a culture of inefficiency/delays, and the criminal justice system’s disproportionate impact on vulnerable and marginalized people.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Indicator: Pre-trial detention/remand
Breakdown: Adult/youth; type of custody (pre-trial detention/remand/sentenced custody)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of adults and youth held in custody in pre-trial detention/remand based on average daily counts. Pre-trial detention is the temporary detention of a youth in provincial or territorial custody, while awaiting trial or sentencing. Remand is the detention of an adult temporarily detained in provincial or territorial custody, while awaiting trial or sentencing. The Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act specify conditions under which an individual can be detained in pre-trial detention/remand, such as to ensure attendance in court, protect the public, including victims and witnesses, and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in fairness and access to justice.
Why it’s important: While remand/pre-trial detention plays a role in the protection of society and the administration of justice, increases in the number and proportion of people held in remand/pre-trial detention may present deeper systemic issues. This includes issues related to legal rights (e.g., presumption of innocence), human rights (e.g., poor conditions, overcrowding, lack of correctional programming), access to justice, a culture of inefficiency/delays, and the criminal justice system’s disproportionate impact on vulnerable and marginalized people.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: The data does not allow distinctions to be made between those who are in remand that have already been found guilty but are awaiting sentencing and those who are awaiting a trial (not yet found guilty). For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for adult and youth, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Office of the Correctional Investigator complainants
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of federally sentenced adults who made complaints to the Office of the Correctional Investigator that received an internal response or investigation.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in fairness.
Why it’s important: Federally sentenced individuals may file complaints related to “decisions, recommendations, acts or omissions” of the Correctional Service of Canada. A decrease in the number of complainants could suggest an increase in fairness in the federal correctional system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: The Office of the Correctional Investigator only deals with complaints of individuals under federal correctional supervision. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Office of the Correctional Investigator
Canadians understand the role of and express confidence in the criminal justice system
Ensuring that Canadians understand the role of and express confidence in the CJS is a core outcome of the CJS. Research shows that Canadians are more likely to express confidence in the CJS if they increase their awareness and understanding of the CJS through public legal education or media. This outcome is measured by public awareness of the role of the CJS, public confidence in the CJS, and by the willingness of victims to report crime.
Indicator: Public awareness of the role of the criminal justice system
Breakdown: Sex; police/courts/correctional services; level of awareness (aware/moderately aware/not aware)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals who said they are very aware or aware of the role of the criminal justice system, namely the police, courts, and correctional services. Respondents ranked their response on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as “very aware” and 1 as “not at all aware”. The scale has been reduced to three categories, with 4 and 5 as “aware,” 3 as “moderately aware,” and 1 and 2 as “not aware.”
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in awareness of the role of the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The criminal justice system plays a critical role in ensuring the overall safety, wellness, and productivity of individuals. An increase in public awareness in the role of the criminal justice system (police, courts, correctional services) may be linked to increased confidence in the system, which may subsequently increase feelings of safety, sense of belonging and greater social cohesion.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: This indicator is based on the results of a survey that relies on a sample and is therefore subject to sampling errors. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: National Justice Survey, Department of Justice Canada
Indicator: Public confidence in the police
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals aged 15 and older who self-report a great deal or some confidence in the police.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in confidence in the police.
Why it’s important: An increase in public confidence in the police may be linked to an increased sense of safety, and may foster a sense of belonging and greater social cohesion. Confidence in the police is also important from the point of view of effective police operations.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Public confidence in the Canadian criminal courts
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals aged 15 and older who self-report a great deal or some confidence in Canadian criminal courts.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in confidence in the Canadian criminal courts.
Why it’s important: An increase in public confidence in Canadian criminal courts may be linked to an increased sense of safety, which may foster a sense of belonging and greater social cohesion.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Victimization incidents reported to the police
Breakdown: Offence type (sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, violent victimization, break and enter, motor vehicle/parts theft, theft of household property, vandalism, total household victimization, theft of personal property); reporting to police (reported to police, not reported to police, don't know/not stated)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of self-reported victimization incidents by victims of crime 15 years and older that identified reporting the incident to the police.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: Most incidents of victimization, both violent and non-violent, are not reported to police. This is especially true for sexual assault, where 5% of incidents are reported to police (General Social Survey, 2014). This may be related in part to a lack of confidence in police and the criminal justice system. An increase in victimization incidents reported to police may indicate increased confidence in police and the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Victimization incidents reported to the police
Breakdown: Offence type (sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, violent victimization, break and enter, motor vehicle/parts theft, theft of household property, vandalism, total household victimization, theft of personal property); reporting to police (reported to police, not reported to police, don't know/not stated)
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of self-reported victimization incidents by victims of crime 15 years and older that identified reporting the incident to the police.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: Most incidents of victimization, both violent and non-violent, are not reported to police. This is especially true for sexual assault, where 5% of incidents are reported to police (General Social Survey, 2014). This may be related in part to a lack of confidence in police and the criminal justice system. An increase in victimization incidents reported to police may indicate increased confidence in police and the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
The criminal justice system operates efficiently
Ensuring the CJS operates efficiently and that police and courts process offences promptly, and use services and resources efficiently, is a core outcome of the CJS. This outcome is measured by the offence clearance rate, court case processing time, and administration of justice offences.
Indicator: Offence clearance rate
Breakdown: Offence type (violent offence/non-violent offence)
What it is: This indicator represents the police weighted clearance rate that reflects the total number of incidents cleared (by charge, or otherwise) during the year divided by the total number of incidents during the year, and assigns higher values (“weight”) to more serious crimes. Total clearance rates share the same limitation as total crime rates in that overall totals are dominated by high-volume, less-serious offences such as minor thefts, mischief and minor assaults. To address this limitation, a "weighted" clearance rate was developed. The weighted clearance rate is based on the same principles as the police-reported Crime Severity Index, whereby more serious offences are assigned a higher “weight” than less serious offences. For example, the clearing of homicides, robberies, and break and enters would represent a greater contribution to the overall weighted clearance rate value than the clearing of minor theft, mischief, or disturbing the peace. It should be noted that, on average, overall weighted clearance rates are slightly lower than overall clearance rates. This is because certain serious, relatively high-volume offences such as robbery and break-ins have lower-than-average clearance rates compared with other violent and non-violent crimes.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in criminal justice system efficiency.
Why it’s important: The primary way of measuring how effective the police are in performing this function is by using the weighted clearance rate.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: Police-reported statistics may be affected by differences in the way police services deal with offences. In some instances, police or municipalities might choose to deal with some offences using municipal by-laws or provincial provisions rather than Criminal Code provisions. Counts are based on the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple violations. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Case completion time
Breakdown: Adult/youth; offence type (crimes against person/crimes against property/administration of justice offences/Criminal Code traffic/other Criminal Code/other federal statues)
What it is: This indicator represents the median number of days to case completion, from first appearance to final decision. The median is the point at which half of all cases had longer case lengths and half had shorter case lengths.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in criminal justice system efficiency and timeliness.
Why it’s important: The amount of time it takes to process a case through the courts is an important measure of court efficiency. Court delays are a significant concern because of increased CJS costs, the rights of accused persons, and the effect on victims of crime. The Supreme Court of Canada’s Jordan decision underscores this: A failure to provide a trial in a reasonable period violates the constitutional rights of accused persons and can result in cases, including serious charges, being dismissed (R. v. Jordan, [2016] SCC 27 1 S.C.R. 631). This can contribute to further hardship for victims and the ineffective use of CJS resources, as well as undermine public safety and public confidence in the CJS.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data. Information from superior courts in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well as municipal courts in Quebec cannot be extracted from their electronic reporting systems and is therefore unavailable.
Limitation: The data exclude cases in which the case length was unknown. Since some of the most serious cases are processed in superior courts, the absence of data from superior courts in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan may result in a slight underestimation of case elapsed times as more serious cases generally require more court appearances and take more time to complete. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Administration of justice offences
Breakdown: Adult/youth; administration of justice offence type (fail to appear/breach of probation/unlawfully at large/fail to comply with order/other administration of justice)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of cases in adult and youth criminal court in which the most serious offence in the case is an administration of justice offence. Administration of justice offences include the Criminal Code violations of failure to appear, failure to comply with conditions, breach of probation, escape or help escape from custody, prisoner unlawfully at large, and other offences against the administration of justice (for example, impersonating a peace officer).
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in efficiency.
Why it’s important: Administration of justice offences have been identified as contributing to delays and a revolving door for many in the criminal justice system, especially Indigenous individuals and vulnerable and marginalized populations. A decrease in the number and percentage of administration of justice offences could contribute to a more efficient criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data. Information from superior courts in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well as municipal courts in Quebec cannot be extracted from their electronic reporting systems and is therefore unavailable.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Statistics Canada
The criminal justice system promotes and supports diversion, restorative justice, Indigenous justice, and tools for community-based resolution
Ensuring victims, survivors, accused, convicted persons, and families have multiple options available to address crime, either through community-based or culturally-based options, where appropriate, or the formal CJS, when necessary, is a core outcome of the CJS. This outcome is measured by the use of incarceration,Footnote 18 diversion,Footnote 19 and drug treatment courts Footnote 20.
Indicator: Incarceration rate
Breakdown: Adult/youth; Corrections jurisdiction (Provincial/territorial/Federal)
What it is: This indicator represents the incarceration rate in Canada based on average daily counts of adults and youth in custody. The adult incarceration rate represents the average number of adults in custody per day for every 100,000 individuals in the adult population (18 years and older). It includes adults in sentenced custody, remand and other temporary detention. The youth incarceration rate represents the average number of youth in secure or open custody per day for every 10,000 individuals in the youth population (12 to 17 years old). It includes youth in sentenced custody, youth in Provincial Director Remand being held following the breach of a community supervision condition, youth in pre-trial detention awaiting trial or sentencing, and youth in other temporary detention.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supporting alternative resolution mechanisms.
Why it’s important: Custody is the most serious sentence handed down by courts. A decrease in the incarceration rate could indicate a criminal justice system that promotes and supports the use of non-custodial processes through diversion, restorative justice, Indigenous justice, or community-based resolution mechanisms where appropriate.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data. For more detailed notes on geographic coverage, click on the export to spreadsheet function.
Limitation: Rates may not match those previously published in other reports due to population updates by Statistics Canada. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for adult and youth, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Criminal incidents cleared by referral to a diversionary program
Breakdown: Violent/non-violent offences; Clearance status (total incidents, total cleared, total not cleared, total cleared by charge, total cleared otherwise, departmental discretion, diversionary program, other cleared otherwise)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of police-reported incidents cleared by referral to a diversionary program. The percentage of police-reported incidents cleared by referral to a diversionary program is calculated based on the total number of police-reported incidents. Referrals to a diversionary program include cases where the accused is diverted away from the court process into a formal diversionary program, commonly referred to as “Alternative Measures or Extrajudicial Sanctions.” Police-reported incidents include incidents that are not cleared, incidents that are cleared by charge and incidents that are cleared otherwise, such as departmental discretion and referral to a diversionary program.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supporting alternative resolution mechanisms.
Why it’s important: Increases in the number and percentage of incidents cleared by referral to a diversionary program, rather than by charge, could demonstrate that the criminal justice system promotes and supports diversion at the policing stage.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Incident-Based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Drug treatment court program referrals
Breakdown: Status (total participants, completed, active); sex
What it is: This indicator represents the number of referrals to a drug treatment court program funded by the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program. Drug treatment courts provide judicially supervised, or court-monitored, addiction treatment in an effort to address the underlying issues that bring non-violent people before court. An individual must enter a guilty plea in order to be eligible for referral to a drug treatment court program.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supporting alternative resolution mechanisms.
Why it’s important: The relationship between illegal drug use and criminal behaviour is well established, and represents a continuing and costly problem in Canada. Drug treatment courts can be effective in leading the marginalized and vulnerable to effective alternatives to the criminal justice system through appropriate community treatment and support. Successful court-monitored programs operate through strong, collaborative partnerships between the court, health and community support systems. An increase in the number of referrals to drug treatment courts could indicate more support for the use of mechanisms other than the mainstream court process. However, an increase in referrals could also mean that more individuals are pleading guilty.
Geographic coverage: The Drug Treatment Court Funding Program provides funding to 10 jurisdictions (British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and Northwest Territories). However, Quebec and Newfoundland have yet to start reporting.
Limitation: This indicator represents the number of individuals referred to a drug treatment court program federally funded by the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program, Department of Justice Canada and by provincial and territorial government partners. Therefore, it does not necessarily cover referrals to all drug treatment court programs in Canada. Also, the same individual can be referred to the drug treatment court program more than once. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Drug Treatment Court Funding Program, Department of Justice Canada
The criminal justice system provides persons in the correctional system with services and supports to rehabilitate them and integrate them back into the community
Ensuring people in the correctional system are provided with services and supports so they can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community is a core outcome for the CJS. This outcome is measured by providing specialized treatment, services, and programs; parole eligibility; successful statutory release; securing employment before they complete their sentence; and community release plans for Indigenous individualsin federal custody.
Indicator: Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision youth cases receiving specialized treatment
Breakdown: N/A
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of identified, eligible Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision youth cases receiving specialized treatment. The federal Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program is a contribution program with all provinces and territories for the delivery of specialized therapeutic programs and services for youth with mental health needs who are convicted of a serious violent offence.
Direction of improvement: The direction of improvement in this indicator is neutral. The data shows that for the past three fiscal years, the program has 100% success providing specialized treatment to identified, eligible Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision youth cases. Therefore, there is no room for improvement on the core program objectives.
Why it’s important: The Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program assists provinces and territories to ensure specialized resources are in place to diagnose and treat violent youth in the criminal justice system suffering from mental health issues in an effort to promote their effective rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Indicator: Mental health services in federal corrections
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity; custody/community
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision identified as having a mental health need on the Correctional Service of Canada's Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System who received mental health services. The Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System is a self-administered assessment tool that assesses mental health needs. The assessment includes questions related to past or present mental health symptoms, diagnoses, medications or treatments, suicidal ideations, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as cognitive deficiencies and intellectual abilities.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Why it’s important: The legislative mandate for the Correctional Service of Canada to provide health services to individuals under federal correctional supervision comes from the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The Corrections and Conditional Release Act indicates that Correctional Service of Canada is responsible for providing every inmate with essential health care and reasonable access to non-essential mental health care that will contribute to the inmate’s rehabilitation and successful reintegration in the community. An increase in this indicator could represent an improvement in the access and provision of mental health services to individuals with an identified mental health need, and also their willingness to receive services.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: The Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System is a voluntary self-report assessment that not all individuals under federal correctional supervision complete. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Correctional programs in federal corrections
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision with an identified need (e.g., education, family/marital, associates, attitudes, community functioning, personal/emotional, and substance use) who completed a nationally recognized correctional program before warrant expiry date. The warrant expiry date is the date a criminal sentence officially ends, as imposed by the courts at the time of sentencing. Individuals who reach their warrant expiry date after completing their entire sentence are no longer under the jurisdiction of Correctional Service of Canada. Correctional programs are designed to target specific risk and need factors that are related to criminal behaviours.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Why it’s important: Correctional programs contribute to public safety through assessment activities and program interventions for individuals under federal correctional supervision that are designed to assist their rehabilitation and facilitate their successful reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens. These programs are designed to target specific risk and need factors that are related to criminal behaviours, which may include friends and associates, history of criminal behaviour, harmful thoughts, history of family violence, education, employment history, and substance use. An increase in the percentage of individuals who completed a correctional program before the full parole eligibility date may indicate that individuals are more prepared for reintegration.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Educational programs in federal corrections
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision with an identified educational need who upgraded their education prior to warrant expiry date. The warrant expiry date is the date a criminal sentence officially ends, as imposed by the courts at the time of sentencing. Individuals who reach their warrant expiry date after completing their entire sentence are no longer under the jurisdiction of Correctional Service of Canada. Educational programs are designed to provide literacy, academic, and personal development skills and that lead to formal recognition, certification or accreditation from an educational authority recognized by the province/territory in which the program is being delivered.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Why it’s important: The goal of correctional educational programs is to help improve individuals' literacy, academic, and personal development skills. Improving education qualifications increases individuals' chances of a successful reintegration into society. An increase in the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision who upgraded their education prior to full parole eligibility date may indicate that individuals are more prepared for reintegration.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Individuals under federal correctional supervision granted parole
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity; day parole/full parole
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision who applied and were granted day and full parole by the Parole Board of Canada. Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada in which individuals are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require individuals to return nightly to an institution or halfway house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada. Not all individuals under federal correctional supervision apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole. Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community. The Parole Board of Canada must review the cases of all individuals for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the individual under federal correctional supervision advises the Parole Board of Canada in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for reintegration.
Why it’s important: The majority of individuals under federal correctional supervision are serving fixed-length sentences. This means they will eventually be released back into the community once their sentence ends. Parole contributes to public safety by helping individuals under federal correctional supervision reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens through a gradual, controlled, and supported release with conditions.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Parole Board of Canada
Indicator: Successful completion of statutory release without revocation in federal corrections
Breakdown: N/A
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision who successfully completed statutory release without revocation (i.e., statutory release was not revoked due to breach of conditions, which includes revocation with outstanding charges or due to a new offence). Statutory release requires federally sentenced individuals (except individuals serving life or indeterminate sentences) to serve the final third of their sentence in the community, under supervision and under conditions of release similar to those imposed on individuals released on full parole.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for reintegration.
Why it’s important: Statutory release is considered successful if it is completed without a return to prison for a breach of conditions or for a new offence. An increase in the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision who successfully complete statutory release could be an indicator of the effectiveness of institutional and community programming, and their successful reintegration into society, which contributes to public safety.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Parole Board of Canada
Indicator: Individuals under federal correctional supervision who secure employment before their sentence ends
Breakdown: Sex; non-indigenous/Indigenous identity; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision with an identified employment need who secure employment in the community prior to warrant expiry date. The warrant expiry date is the date a criminal sentence officially ends, as imposed by the courts at the time of sentencing. Individuals who reach their warrant expiry date after completing their entire sentence are no longer under the jurisdiction of Correctional Service of Canada.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for reintegration.
Why it’s important: Securing employment in the community of individuals under federal correctional supervision increases the chances of successful reintegration into society.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Community release plan for Indigenous people in federal custody
Breakdown: Sex
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of Indigenous individuals with a Corrections and Conditional Release Act Section 84 release plan following incarceration. Section 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act requires the Correctional Service of Canada to involve Indigenous communities in planning for the release of Indigenous individuals to the community.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in supports for Indigenous individuals’ reintegration into the community
Why it’s important: Section 84 releases are a positive reintegration strategy for Indigenous people following incarceration. An increase in the percentage of Indigenous individuals with a section 84 release plan could help reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
The criminal justice system respects victims’ and survivors’ rights and addresses their needs
Ensuring the criminal justice system respects victims’ and survivors’ rights and addresses their needs is a core outcome for the criminal justice system. This outcome is measured by how satisfied victims/survivors are with the system and by whether they participate in the system. The low number of indicators under this outcome underscores the need to improve data collection and reporting efforts for victims’ and survivors’ rights and needs.
Indicator: Victim satisfaction with the actions taken by police
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity
What it is: This indicator represents the percentage of self-reported violent victimization incidents where victims were satisfied or very satisfied with the actions taken by police.
Direction of improvement: An increase in this indicator could indicate an improvement in victim satisfaction with the actions taken by police.
Why it’s important: Police are usually the first responders when a crime has been reported. This indicator seeks to examine victim satisfaction with police action. A high level of satisfaction could indicate that victims’ rights are respected and their needs are addressed.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. Although Indigenous identity information is available for this indicator, the data are too unreliable to publish. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Individuals registered as a victim to receive information about an individual who harmed them
Breakdown: N/A
What it is: This indicator represents the number of individuals who have registered as a victim with the Parole Board of Canada or the Correctional Service of Canada in order to receive information about an individual who has harmed them.
Direction of improvement: The direction of improvement in this indicator is neutral (i.e., not clear).
Why it’s important: The Parole Board of Canada and the Correctional Service of Canada do not automatically inform victims about the individual who harmed them to respect victims who do not wish to receive this information. Victims who register with the Parole Board of Canada or Correctional Service of Canada will receive information about the individual who harmed them (e.g., their status, release date, correctional plan and progress). This indicator is especially important considering the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights states that victims have the right to information. A neutral direction of improvement was identified due to the various potential fluctuations in the number of victims; in victims’ awareness of the opportunity to register; in victims’ interest to register; and in the number of individuals in the federal correctional system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of victims in cases where the individual who harmed them is under the federal correctional system.
Limitation: This indicator only captures victims in cases where the individual who harmed them is under the federal correctional system (i.e., the individual was sentenced to custody for two years or more) and only captures victims who register to receive information. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Parole Board of Canada
The criminal justice system reduces the number of Indigenous individuals in the system
Indigenous individuals have historically been, and continue to be, overrepresented in the criminal justice system. This outcome links directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action to report, monitor, and evaluate progress in eliminating the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in custody (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). Ensuring the criminal justice system identifies the proportion of Indigenous to non-Indigenous victims/survivors and accused/convicted individuals is critical to know if there has been a reduction. This outcome is measured by self-reported victimization, number of homicide victims, number of homicide accused, admissions to the correctional system, and Dangerous Offender classifications.Footnote 21
Indicator: Self-reported violent victimization among Indigenous individuals
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; type of violent offences (sexual assault/robbery/physical assault/total violent victimization)
What it is: This indicator represents the rate of violent victimization incidents per 1,000 population of Indigenous individuals, aged 15 and older, who self-reported being victimized in the previous 12 months.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The rate of Indigenous individuals who report victimization is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the rate of Indigenous individuals who report violent victimization could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. However, given that this indicator relies on the reporting of Indigenous individuals, an increase could also indicate more confidence to report victimization to the survey.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. The data excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Police-reported homicide victims identified as Indigenous
Breakdown: Sex; Adult/Youth; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity
What it is: This indicator is measured in two ways: 1) the number and percentage of police-reported homicide victims identified as Indigenous and 2) the rate of police-reported homicide victims identified as Indigenous per 100,000 Indigenous population. Homicide includes the Criminal Code offences of murder, manslaughter, and infanticide. Indigenous identity is reported by the police and is determined through information found with the victim, such as a status card, or through information supplied by the victim’s family, community members, or other sources (such as band records). The year 2014 marks the first cycle of collection of Homicide Survey data for which complete information regarding Indigenous identity was reported for both victims and accused persons of homicide.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number, percentage, and rate of police-reported homicide victims identified as Indigenous is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number, percentage, and rate of police-reported homicide victims identified as Indigenous could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: This data does not report on the number of undiscovered missing persons. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Homicide Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Police-reported homicide accused identified as Indigenous
Breakdown: Sex; Adult/Youth; non-Indigenous/Indigenous Identity
What it is: This indicator is measured in two ways: 1) the number and percentage of persons accused of police-reported homicide identified as Indigenous, and 2) the rate of persons accused of police-reported homicide identified as Indigenous per 100,000 Indigenous population. Homicide includes the Criminal Code offences of murder, manslaughter, and infanticide. Indigenous identity is reported by the police and is determined through information found with the accused person such as a status card, or through information supplied by the accused person’s family, community members, or other sources ( such as band records). The year 2014 marks the first cycle of collection of Homicide Survey data for which complete information regarding Indigenous identity was reported for both victims and accused persons of homicide.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number, percentage, and rate per 100,000 population of persons accused of police-reported homicide identified as Indigenous is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number, percentage, and rate of persons accused of police-reported homicide identified as Indigenous could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data.
Limitation: This data provides the number of homicide accused who are known by police in a given year. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Homicide Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Indigenous adults and youth admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services
Breakdown: Adult/youth; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; type of supervision (total/custody/community)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services. Admissions are counted each time an individual begins or moves to a new type of custody or community supervision.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to correctional services is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data. However, it is important to note that the indicator does not necessarily represent all provinces and territories as there are variations in the availability of data for certain jurisdictions and years.
Limitation: An individual is counted more than once in the admissions counts if he or she moves from one type of legal status to another or re-enters the correctional system in the same year. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Adult Correctional Services Survey, Youth Custody and Community Services Survey, and the Integrated Correctional Services Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Indigenous admissions to federal correctional services
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; type of supervision (total/custody/community)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to federal correctional services. Admissions are counted each time an individual begins or moves to a new type of custody or community supervision.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to correctional services is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number and percentage of Indigenous admissions to feral correctional services could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: An individual is counted more than once in the admissions counts if he or she moves from one type of legal status to another or re-enters the correctional system in the same year. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Adult Correctional Services Survey and the Integrated Correctional Services Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Indigenous individuals among the total federal offender population
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity; custody/community
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of Indigenous individuals among the total offender population under federal correctional supervision. The total offender population includes all active offenders who are incarcerated in a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders on temporary absence from a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days. The in-custody population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders on temporary absence from a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a Correctional Service of Canada facility and offenders on remand in a Correctional Service of Canada facility. The in community under supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-Correctional Service of Canada facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number and percentage of Indigenous individuals among the total federal offender population is an indicator of the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number and percentage of Indigenous individuals among the total federal offender population in could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Indigenous individuals designated as Dangerous Offenders
Breakdown: Sex; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity
What it is: This indicator represents the number of Indigenous individuals under federal correctional supervision designated as Dangerous Offender and the percentage of those designated as Dangerous Offender who are Indigenous. The Dangerous Offender provisions of the Criminal Code are intended to protect the public from the most dangerous violent and sexual predators in the country. Individuals convicted of certain offences can be designated as a Dangerous Offender during sentencing if a sentencing court is satisfied that the offender constitutes a threat to the life, safety or physical or mental well-being of the public. Where an offender is designated by the court as a Dangerous Offender, the offender may be sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment. Individuals who have died since receiving designations are no longer classified as "active"; however, they are still represented in the number of individuals with a Dangerous Offender designation.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: A decrease in the number and percentage of Indigenous individuals classified as a Dangerous Offender could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: Due to the small sample size, it might be difficult to detect trends. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
The criminal justice system reduces the number of marginalized and vulnerable people in the system
Certain marginalized and vulnerable populations are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, including Black Canadians, those with mental health and cognitive impairment, and those without housing. Ensuring the criminal justice system identifies the proportion of marginalized to non-marginalized victims/survivors and accused/convicted persons is critical to know if there has been a reduction. This outcome is measured by self-reported victimization, police contact among people with mental health issues, visible minorities among the federal correctional population, and the federal correctional population with mental health needs.
Indicator: Self-reported violent victimization among marginalized and vulnerable populations
Breakdown: Sex; vulnerable populations (non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity/immigrants/mental/psychological disability/learning disability/sexual orientation/people with a history of homelessness)
What it is: This indicator represents the rate of violent victimization of marginalized and vulnerable people who self-reported being victimized in the previous 12 months. Rates are calculated per 1,000 population aged 15 years and older with the exception of data for homosexuals and bisexuals which includes adults aged 18 and over.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of marginalized and vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The rate of marginalized and vulnerable populations who report violent victimization is a direct indicator of the overrepresentation of marginalized and vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the rate of marginalized and vulnerable populations who report victimization could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of marginalized and vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system. However, given that this indicator relies on the reporting of marginalized and vulnerable populations, an increase could also indicate more confidence to report victimization to the survey.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. Excludes people who could not speak English or French as well as the institutionalized population. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), Statistics Canada
Indicator: Police contact among individuals with a mental or substance use disorder
Breakdown: With a disorder/without a disorder; reason for contact (traffic violation/victim of a crime/witness to a crime/personal emotions/mental health/substance use/arrest/family member’s emotions/mental health/substance use)
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of individuals aged 15 and older who reported coming into contact with the police in the previous 12 months of the Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health, who met the criteria for at least one of six mental or substance use disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use or dependence, cannabis use or dependence, or other drug use or dependence. This indicator excludes the following type of contacts with police: public information session, work-related, accident, and “other” reasons.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of marginalized and vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: While the majority of people with mental health and addictions issues rarely come in contact with police, contact with police is relatively more common among this population. Reasons for contact with police are not necessarily criminal in nature and can be complex, often resulting from social and systemic factors, such as homelessness, poverty, and a lack of community-based services. These types of contacts are important to police, as the needs of those with mental or substance use disorders may be unique and require officers to employ different tactics. Therefore, it is important to have a better understanding of the vulnerable populations in an effort to develop improved policing and mental health services. A decrease in this indicator could mean that individuals with a mental or substance use disorder are prevented from coming in contact with police/the criminal justice system, and their needs are more appropriately addressed by other social systems.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes provincial level data.
Limitation: The survey sample excluded individuals in the territories due to small sample sizes, as well as efforts to remain as comparable as possible to the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey. While there is no standardized national framework or guidelines for reporting police contacts that involve persons with mental or substance use disorders, some police services publish figures for their jurisdictions on this subject. Much of these data are not comparable across police services given different methodologies and definitions. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Canadian Community Health Survey, Statistics Canada
Indicator: Mental health needs in federal corrections
Breakdown: Sex; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity; non-Indigenous/Indigenous identity
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of individuals under federal correctional supervision identified as having a mental health need on the Correctional Service of Canada's Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System. The Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System identifies three groups of offenders: (1) Flagged: offenders require mental health follow-up; (2) Unclassified: offenders have a moderate need for mental health services and mental health staff are required to conduct at least a file review to determine whether or not an offender required follow-up mental health assessment or services; and, (3) Screened out: offenders do not require follow-up mental health services.
Direction of improvement: The direction of improvement in this indicator is neutral (i.e., not clear).
Why it’s important: Individuals with mental health needs are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. A decrease could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of individuals with mental health needs in the criminal justice system. However, an increase could represent better screening and identification protocols, or an increase in the willingness of individuals under federal correctional supervision to participate in the Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: The Computerized Mental Health Intake Screening System is a voluntary self-report assessment that not all individuals under federal correctional supervision complete. For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
Indicator: Visible minorities in federal corrections
Breakdown: Sex; non-members of a visible minority/visible minority identity (Asian/Black/Hispanic); custody/community
What it is: This indicator represents the number and percentage of visible minorities among the total offender population under federal correctional supervision. The total offender population includes all active offenders who are incarcerated in a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders on temporary absence from a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days. The in-custody population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders on temporary absence from a Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a Correctional Service of Canada facility and offenders on remand in a Correctional Service of Canada facility. The in community under supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-Correctional Service of Canada facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-Correctional Service of Canada facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Direction of improvement: A decrease in this indicator could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of visible minorities in the criminal justice system.
Why it’s important: The number and percentage of visible minorities among the total federal offender population is an indicator of the overrepresentation of visible minorities in the criminal justice system. A decrease in the number and percentage of visible minorities among the total federal offender population could indicate a reduction in the overrepresentation of visible minorities in the criminal justice system.
Geographic coverage: This indicator includes national level data of federally sentenced individuals in Canada.
Limitation: For more detailed notes, click on the export to spreadsheet function available in the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard.
Collection source: Correctional Service of Canada
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