Healing lodge

A healing lodge is a Canadian correctional institution designed to meet the needs of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) inmates. Healing lodges were created to address the concern that traditional prisons do not work on Indigenous offenders. Indigenous people are over-represented in the prison system and are also more likely to be the victims of crime. In healing lodges, the focus is on healing and reconnecting with indigenous culture while inmates serve their sentences. Connecting to nature, participating in cultural ceremonies, and learning spiritual teachings are how Healing Lodges process the rehabilitation and healing of inmates. They also have access to spiritual guidance from Elders and are encouraged to maintain connections with their families and communities. Healing lodges were proposed as an alternative for Indigenous female offenders, but there are now healing lodges for Indigenous male offenders as well. Women's healing lodges are minimum / medium-security facilities, and men's healing lodges are minimum-security facilities.