A recent study by First Light revealed that Indigenous individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador are imprisoned at a rate eight times higher than their non-Indigenous counterparts. The non-profit organization, based in St. John’s, conducted a survey in November 2025 to compile the data presented in the report named “Overrepresented and Undercounted,” which was released on Monday.
Interviewers engaged with 305 inmates across all five adult correctional facilities in the province, covering approximately 72 percent of the total inmate population at that time. Of the 303 respondents to the survey, 43 percent were identified as Indigenous by First Light, either through self-identification or having a close Indigenous relative.
The study utilized census figures to estimate an incarceration rate of about 50 per 10,000 Indigenous individuals and six per 10,000 non-Indigenous individuals. Justin Campbell, the director of advocacy at First Light, highlighted factors such as intergenerational trauma, historical colonialism, and insufficient social support as contributing to the high rates of Indigenous incarceration.
First Light emphasized the urgency to address the issue despite the prevalence of over-incarceration nationwide. The study aimed to provide a contemporary overview of the Indigenous inmate population, as the most recent similar data was collected in 1996, indicating a significantly lower percentage of Indigenous inmates at that time.
Mark Humber, a community empowerment liaison, expressed concerns over the government’s response to funding Indigenous programming based on outdated statistics. The disproportionate representation of Indigenous individuals in custody, given their 9.3 percent population share in Newfoundland and Labrador, underscores the need for targeted interventions.
The report advocated for culturally specific programming in correctional facilities, citing the success of such initiatives at the Labrador Correctional Centre and the desire for broader implementation. Recommendations included increased funding for cultural programs, anti-racism training for staff, and the appointment of Indigenous liaison officers at correctional institutions.
First Light proposed policy imperatives to the Newfoundland and Labrador government, estimating an annual cost of $500,000 to implement cultural programming at various correctional facilities. The organization’s optimistic outlook on the government’s response to the report signals a potential shift towards addressing the systemic issues highlighted in the study.