Perceptions of the use of custodial sentences

The YCJA states that a custody sentence should be imposed as a last resort and that all available sentences, other than imprisonment, should be considered (s. 38(2)d)). Respondents were asked under which conditions, if any, should youth be sentenced to custody. Most respondents (73%) reported that youth should be sentenced to custody when they commit a violent offence or when they are repeat offenders (70%). A small percentage of respondents said that youth should never be sentenced to custody (5%). For youth cases involving violent offences, Indigenous (70%) and racialized people (66%)–specifically Latinx (65%), East Asian (61%), Middle Eastern and North African (57%), and South Asian people (64%)–were less likely than White people (76%) to say that youth should be sentenced to custody. Respondents who were born outside of Canada (68%) were less likely than those who were born in Canada (75%) to say that youth should be sentenced to custody. Additionally, younger respondents aged 25 to 34 (66%) and 35 to 44 (69%) were less likely than older respondents aged 45 to 54 (76%), 55 to 64 (80%) and 65 and older (76%) to say that youth should be sentenced to custody.

Indigenous (7%) and racialized (6%) people were also more likely than White people (4%) to say that youth should never be sentenced to custody. Additionally, younger respondents aged 18 to 24 (11%), 25 to 34 (8%) and 35 to 44 (7%) were more likely than older respondents aged 45 to 54 (2%), 55 to 64 (2%) and 65 and older (3%) to report that youth should never be sentenced to custody.