Abstract

While professional guidelines, legislation and research emphasize the importance of adapting treatment approaches to patient characteristics and culture (American Psychological Association [APA], 2021, 2019; Correctional Service of Canada [CSC], 2013; Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2017; Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association [CCPA], 2021), psychological and forensic research and practice related to culturally specific programming lags behind expectations to meet the needs of ethnically diverse clients. Given the continued overrepresentation of minorities within forensic institutions (Aguiar, 2020; Carter & Forsyth, 2007; Hanser & Gomila, 2015; Leguizamo et al., 2018), this systematic review aimed to raise awareness of culturally-specific interventions and Indigenous practices in correctional and forensic settings by being the first to examine their use and synthesize data on their recidivism, mental health, and behavioral outcomes with incarcerated individuals and forensic patients in the United States (U.S.) and Canada. Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors identified 8 articles from an initial total of 6,986 that met selection standards. All studies included Indigenous or Aboriginal populations and 7 of 8 studies were conducted in Canada. Results from deductive content analysis revealed that 62.5% of the studies – all correctional – examined culturally specific programs (i.e., Pathways Program, Native Sisterhood, Work 2 Give, Prison Garden, Aboriginal Programming). The majority of studies (87.5%) in both correctional and forensic settings examined Indigenous practices (use of Elders, sweat lodge ceremonies, spirituality). Although only 37.5% of the studies contained recidivism data (showing mixed results), 87.5% reported mostly positive mental health and behavioral outcomes data. This study appears to be the first to bring together research on the value of Elders and traditional ceremonies (i.e., sweat lodge, pipe ceremonies, sacred circles) in the rehabilitative and healing journeys of correctional inmates and forensic psychiatric patients. These findings highlight the need to widen the scope of culturally-specific programing for minority groups overrepresented in correctional and forensic contexts and improve consistency in terminology and methodological rigor when studying culturally-specific interventions and their outcomes in these settings.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Forensic psychiatry—United States; Forensic psychiatry—Canada; Indigenous peoples—Rehabilitation—United States; Indigenous peoples—Rehabilitation—Canada; Correctional psychology—United States; Correctional psychology—Canada; Recidivism—United States; Recidivism—Canada

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Susan Hall

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