I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 15, 2004, regarding the incarceration of Sahtu residents.
On October 18, 2004, there were 17 residents from the Sahtu in the custody of the Department of Justice corrections services. Fourteen of these are territorial offenders and three are federal offenders. All 17 are currently serving their sentences in the Northwest Territories.
The corrections service offers more than 40 programs for offenders in the Northwest Territories based on three general categories: programs for adults, programs for youth, and wilderness camp programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, education, substance abuse, reasoning and rehabilitation, sharing circles, traditional healing and elders program, chaplaincy, and anger management.
The Department of Justice currently has contracts for two adult wilderness camps located near the communities of Fort Smith and Hay River. The department also has contracts for alternative open custody youth home/camps in Tulita and Fort Good Hope. The department is open to considering other camp locations; however, the existing camp contracts meet the current demand.
The corrections service works with offenders, their families and communities to develop reintegration plans for both adult and youth to ensure the safe and successful return to their community. This process may include ensuring an offender has a place to reside, assisting them to meet their employment or education needs, and establishing support or counselling services in the community. The Temporary Release Program allows adult offenders to be released under certain conditions to begin the reintegration back into their community. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, youth serve the last third of their sentence under supervision in the community.
Finally, I am proud to say that all programs and services provided by the corrections service are either developed or delivered with the understanding and consideration that many offenders in custody are aboriginal. Each correctional facility has some form of traditional or cultural programming that includes having elders on contract or on staff to support offenders. The department has also used an Aboriginal Advisory Committee in the development of new correctional facilities to ensure that aboriginal beliefs are integrated into the design and function of the building.