The Justice System Breakdown

 RCMP: A Century of Control and Controversy — Part 8: The Justice System Breakdown

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

⚠️ Content Warning: This post discusses incarceration, systemic racism, and criminal justice failures.

Even as crime evolves, one thing remains constant: Canada’s justice system often fails the people it is meant to protect. From revolving-door incarceration to systemic bias, the structures of policing and courts too frequently prioritize punishment over safety, equity, or rehabilitation.

Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in prisons, a stark legacy of colonial policies enforced by the NWMP and later the RCMP. Systemic racism means that Indigenous and marginalized individuals face harsher sentences, more frequent arrests, and greater scrutiny than wealthier or non-Indigenous Canadians.

Many violent offenders are released quickly, sometimes within a day, leaving communities feeling vulnerable. Meanwhile, high-profile investigations and commissions — from the Cullen Commission to inquiries into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls — rarely lead to systemic change. Officers and officials may be disciplined, but deep structural reforms are often absent.

This pattern has consequences: Canadians grow frustrated, distrustful, and fearful. Ordinary citizens see the disconnect between law enforcement and justice: crime persists, the wealthy sometimes evade scrutiny, and marginalized communities are left at risk.

The system’s breakdown also highlights a contradiction: while the RCMP and police forces are heavily funded and highly visible, their efforts often fail to protect the most vulnerable. Historical neglect and modern policy failures intersect, showing that without accountability and reform, the cycle continues.

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Reflection Questions

1. How does systemic bias affect Indigenous and marginalized people in the justice system?
2. Why does revolving-door incarceration occur, and who does it impact most?
3. What changes could make the justice system more equitable and effective?

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Mini Quiz

1. Which group is overrepresented in Canadian prisons?
   • A) Indigenous peoples ✅
   • B) Wealthy investors
   • C) Foreign tourists
2. What is a common consequence of the justice system breakdown?
   • A) Improved public trust
   • B) Public frustration and fear ✅
   • C) Reduction in crime
3. Do commissions and inquiries always lead to systemic reform?
   • A) Yes
   • B) Rarely ✅
   • C) Always