Most prison escapees fled from healing lodges: Correctional Service of Canada

A recent report from the Correctional Service of Canada found that the majority of escapees are fleeing from healing lodges rather than traditional prisons.

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A recent report from the Correctional Service of Canada found that the majority of escapees are fleeing from healing lodges rather than traditional prisons.

The Correctional Service of Canada regularly reviews details surrounding escapes and the profiles of offenders involved. Its most recent review showed that seven of nine escapees—or 72 per cent—in 2024 fled from healing lodges.

This is a significant jump from 2018-2019, when healing lodges only accounted for half of all corrections institutional escapees.

The report noted that “although offence profiles varied,” 60 per cent of escapees were serving time for a violent major index offence.

Most escapes—80 per cent—occurred within six months of the offender’s arrival at the institution, with the average time at the institution a mere 4.1 months.

The new CSC report also noted that 80 per cent of the escapes occurred in the Prairie region.

True North previously reported on one such escapee, who fled from a Saskatchewan security healing lodge back in March.

In that case, a 30-year-old man serving time for break and enter and assault took off from a healing lodge in the midst of his three-year sentence.

In another case also reported by True North, from a year earlier, another man similarly bolted from a healing lodge in the midst of an eight-year sentence.

Currently, there are 10 healing lodges across Canada that are funded and operated by the Correctional Service. Four of them are run solely by the government, while others are managed by partners or community organizations.

In Canada, correctional facilities known as “healing lodges” integrate Indigenous cultural practices, such as sweat lodge ceremonies, to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of Indigenous offenders.

“Escapes from federal institutions are relatively uncommon events,” wrote the report, “though are a key indicator of correctional performance, with implications for public safety and public confidence.”