Overrepresented and Undercounted

Overrepresented and Undercounted: A Snapshot of Indigenous Adult Incarceration in Newfoundland and Labrador, 2025 presents a comprehensive demographic snapshot of Indigenous incarceration at all five adult correctional facilities in the province – the first study of its kind in more than a generation. Using a combined measure of self-identification and Indigenous family lineage, this methodologically rigorous report finds that Indigenous people make up a far larger proportion of the incarcerated population than previously understood, with a rate of incarceration more than eight times higher than that of the non-Indigenous population.

The report also identifies major gaps in access to cultural programming, limited use of Gladue reports, and high levels of housing insecurity among inmates approaching release. It highlights how the legacy of Indigenous erasure in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to affect identity, data collection, and access to services, and sets out a series of policy imperatives to address Indigenous overincarceration in the province, including the need for accurate data and stable support for Indigenous-led programs.