Question

The criminal justice system in our country has come under increased scrutiny in recent years by academics, the media and the general public. Many of the criticisms deal with the way in which minority group members have been treated by the three branches of the criminal justice system, namely, the police, the courts and the correctional system. This assignment asks you to select one group of Canadians that has experienced racism, discrimination, prejudice or some other form of mistreatment at the hands of one of the the branches of our justice system. Examples of groups that have experienced these problems include, but are not limited to visible minority groups, Indigenous peoples, and members of the LBTG community. Your paper should document recent problems/complaints against the particular branch of the CJS that you have chosen. Also, please document what, if anything is being done or has been done to rectify these issues.Write a paper on one group of Canadians that has experienced racism, discrimination, prejudice, or mistreatment within the criminal justice system in Canada. Document recent problems/complaints and actions taken to address these issues.

Answer 1

Indigenous peoples in Canada have faced racism and discrimination within the criminal justice system, demonstrated through systemic bias and overrepresentation in prisons. Recent steps to address these issues include law enforcement training, restorative justice practices, and the establishment of Indigenous courts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Racism and Discrimination in the Canadian Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system in Canada, as in many countries, comprises the police, courts, and the corrections system. Each of these branches has faced scrutiny over their treatment of minority groups, particularly Indigenous peoples, who have been subject to racism and discrimination. Indigenous Canadians have experienced higher rates of incarceration, were often given harsher sentences, and faced systemic biases. Cases of police misconduct and overrepresentation in the prison system spotlight the ongoing issues within the criminal justice system. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to address these problems. These include reforms within the police force, increased representation of minority groups within the legal system, and the implementation of culturally sensitive interventions in corrections.

Recent Problems and Reforms

Recent criticisms reveal that Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by police brutality and are more likely to be incarcerated. Reports have highlighted systemic issues such as racial profiling and inadequate representation in the judiciary process. In response to public outcry and legal challenges, measures such as implicit bias training for law enforcement and restorative justice initiatives have been implemented. Additionally, the rise of Indigenous courts and cultural sensitivity training within corrections aims to ameliorate the systemic discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system.