Decolonizing Prisons: Indigenized prison programming and a Critique of “Critical Prison Studies”

• In Event: Prisoners and Prisons (Panel 1 of 3)

Abstract

While Canadian criminologists have been rightfully skeptical of the decolonial nature of Indigenized programming, scholarly discourse is increasingly dominated by “critical prison studies”, which argues that Indigenizing prisons represents the latest form of cultural genocide. Working as part of a research team on the University of Alberta Prison Project, I draw from almost 600 interviews with prisoners inside six prisons across Western Canada. Almost 40% of participants identified as Indigenous. Our findings challenge the idea that Indigenizing prisons foremost advances colonialism, as participants widely praised these initiatives for how they: 1) taught participants their history and culture for the first time; 2) helped participants feel empowered and prideful about Indigenous identity; 3) helped participants cope with colonial traumas, including residential school and foster care experiences; 4) can create a support network between Elders and fellow prisoners (rather than being coercive and top-down); and 5) are necessary to basic religious accommodation. Participants’ criticisms of Indigenized programming focused almost exclusively on prison management, particularly how security restrictions and staff prejudice can prevent access to Indigenized services. Indigenized programming is necessary to the dignity and religious rights of incarcerated Indigenous peoples, and our participants want expanded cultural programming that is more widely accessible.

Author

• Justin Tetrault, University of Alberta Augustana