Cultural assessments needed for sentencing reform, say advocates, amid calls to address high Black incarceration rates

Justice advocates agree with the Black Parliamentary Caucus’ recent call for pre-sentencing reports, similar to the Gladue reports for Indigenous offenders, to be used for racialized Canadians.

Independent Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, left, and Liberal MP Pam Damoff both participated in the Parliamentary Black Caucus' discussions around widespread justice reforms to address systemic racism against Black Canadians, including through pre-sentencing reports. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Sen. Bernard

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BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

July 8, 2020

When Black and racialized offenders appear for sentencing, the judge should consider the unique cultural and historical factors of the defendant and whether racism played a role in their contact with the criminal justice system, say advocates who laud a recent parliamentary call for the reform. It�...

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