Healing lodge

A healing lodge is a Canadian correctional institution designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) inmates. Healing lodges were created to address the concern that traditional prisons do not work on aboriginal offenders. Aboriginals are over-represented in the prison system and are also more likely to be the victims of crime. In healing lodges, the focus is on healing and reconnecting with indigenous culture while inmates serve their sentences. Inmates receive programming and services based on “Aboriginal values, traditions, and beliefs”. They also have access to spiritual guidance from Elders and are encouraged to maintain connections with their families and communities. Healing lodges were proposed as an alternative for Aboriginal female offenders, 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.

In 1990, a report called Creating Choices was issued by a task force aiming to improve the lives of and create more choices for federally sentenced women. One of the recommendations of the task force was the creation of a healing lodge “where Aboriginal federally sentenced women may serve all or part of their sentences.” This idea was proposed by the Native Women's Association of Canada. Section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act of 1992 made it possible for Aboriginal communities and Correctional Service Canada (CSC) to work together to provide services, programs, and correctional facilities to Aboriginal inmates. Notably, it allows Aboriginal communities to provide correctional services to Aboriginal inmates.

Section 81 healing lodges are agreed upon by Correctional Service Canada and Aboriginal communities under section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Section 81(1) states that “The Minister, or a person authorized by the Minister, may enter into an agreement with an aboriginal community for the provision of correctional services to aboriginal offenders and for payment by the Minister, or by a person authorized by the Minister, in respect of the provision of those services.” These healing lodges are funded by CSC but managed by Aboriginal communities and/or organizations. There are currently four Section 81 healing lodges. At present, there are "no Section 81 agreements in British Columbia, Ontario, Atlantic Canada or in the North".

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