General population (GP)
General population inmates.
When not housed in segregation under CAR 24, he resides on a regular GP programming unit.
Correctional Officer Sandy testified that inmate Cole may have been intoxicated, and that he is not a client with Mental Health Needs (MHN) and resides on a regular range. Inmate Cole entered a letter into the record. He wrote that many of his family members have recently died, including his father who he described as his best friend, and his wife was just diagnosed with cancer. He added that he has not had an opportunity to grieve and has not seen his wife since her diagnosis.
Gladue factors
During the penalty (sentencing) phase of a disciplinary proceeding, an independent correctional decision-maker must consider Gladue factors. In a 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision called Gladue, the Court acknowledged that the criminal justice system has failed Indigenous people, therefore, decision-makers must consider an offender's unique circumstances as an Indigenous person, for example, the unique systemic and background factors which may have played a part in bringing them before the courts.
In the context of disciplinary proceedings on penalty, a decision-maker should consider whether the penalty (sanction) is appropriate given the circumstances of the Indigenous offender’s heritage or community connection and consider restorative justice principles, such as imposing a written reflection piece or a written apology under CAR 27(1)(e), extra duties, instead of the harmful punitive practice of segregation. However, without legislative reforms to the CAR penalties, under section 27(1), decision-makers are constrained with the application of restorative justice principles.
In BC, 36% of adults in provincial jails are Indigenous, yet Indigenous people make up 6% of the adult population (BC Corrections and Indigenous justice).
His family members were in residential school and he was in foster care. I considered his Indigenous background in my penalty (sentencing) decision. I did so because I have an obligation to reintegrate rather than segregate him, impose segregation as a last resort, and support his release. The latest available Statistics Canada data reveal that although Indigenous people in BC make up 5% of the population, they make up 30% of the inmate population, and Indigenous people are nine times more likely to be incarcerated than non-Indigenous people. This current reality of the overrepresentation of the Indigenous population in corrections requires that I acknowledge Canada’s historical relationship with Indigenous people—the imposition of the residential school system—and the ongoing direct and systemic discrimination—child welfare to prison pipeline. I have an obligation, both legal and ethical, to consider Gladue factors. I must acknowledge that colonial efforts reflected in legislation, such as the Indian Act with the mandate to “assimilate the Indian”, continues to spill over, and is visible, real and felt in the form of intergenerational trauma. To acknowledge, recognize, and consider this is the first step in moving forward in a good way.
Inmate Wolfe was in the foster care system and could not provide further details or information regarding his Indigenous ancestry. I did not discount or minimize his ancestral ties, rather I must acknowledge that a longstanding colonial effort reflected in legislation such as the Indian Act was to “assimilate the Indian.” This sad, disturbing, and unfortunate reality means too often Indigenous people do not know where they come from. This loss of cultural belonging and identity must be acknowledged and recognized.
He is from the Musqueam reserve. He grew up and was raised on reserve until he entered foster care. He later returned to live with his grandparents. Most of his family members were in residential school. He participates in the Centre’s Indigenous programming, including in ceremonies, smudging, beading and crafts. He has a Gladue Report.
For more on Gladue factors, you can read my blog post: From “Care” to Confinement: The Foster Care-to-Prison Pipeline (May 29, 2025).
Goof
Informers, molesters, child killers, and all inmates segregated from the general population in protective custody (PC). Also, an inmate or prison staff who has become hated for suspicious or irritating behaviour.
The worst insult. When used, it incites violence.
After inmate Scott provided his testimony, I directed that he be removed from the hearing room. Inmate Scott became elevated, aggressive, and hostile. He also directed derogatory language at the officers in the room, including calling them “goof.”
Inmate Simpson testified that inmate Joe called him a “goof” and he responded in return. I considered the context as a whole, within a correctional centre environment, and the implications of being called a goof. If he didn’t respond, inmate Simpson would be putting a target on his back.
He agreed that his involvement led to a three-on-one assault when inmate Donald called the back table “goof,” a table where he was seated. He expressed a lack of remorse stating “yeah, that’s jail.”