Post-prison support for First Nations men in Australia and Canada

Background: The First Nations people of Australia (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) comprise 3.8% of the overall population but are around 30% of the Australian prison population. The First Nations people of Canada comprise 4.1% of the overall population but are 28% of the Canadian Federal prison population. The primary cause of this overrepresentation is the continuing legacy of invasion and colonisation and the resulting social and economic marginalisation. Many of the First Nations people who go to prison in both countries have drug and alcohol use disorders which have likely developed to cope with the ongoing intergenerational trauma from this colonial legacy.   

This project is investigating how to better support First Nations men in Australia and Canada to reduce the likelihood of them returning to prison and assist them address drug and alcohol use issues. This research is First Nations led and in this presentation the research protocol and the preliminary results will be presented. The learnings from this research could be used to help support minority groups post-prison in other developed countries.

Methods: Narrative review of international literature on supporting First nations people post-prison. In-depth qualitative interviews with First Nations men and post-prison support workers in Canada (Toronto) and Australia (Sydney) (n=20-40) are taking place between February and July 2024. The data will be thematically analysed.   

Results: Results from the literature review indicate that stable accommodation is critical to support post-prison success in both Countries. Post-prison drug and alcohol use programs that incorporate cultural activities are more likely to engage First Nations Men. Preliminary results of qualitative interviews will also be presented.

Conclusion:  An expansion of programs that are specifically developed for First Nations Men could better assist these men to address drug and alcohol use issues and reduce the possibility of them returning to prison.