In 1995-96, 12% of federal admissions to custody in Canada were Aboriginal peoples. This proportion has remained relatively stable between 1989-90 and 1995 96, ranging from 11% to 13%. Aboriginal peoples, however, make up less than 5% of Canada's adult population and have long been over-represented in the corrections population.

Of the ten provinces, proportions have historically been highest in Saskatchewan, followed by Manitoba and Alberta.

In Alberta, nearly one quarter of all federal admissions to custody were Aboriginal peoples. All four western provinces recorded higher percentage of federal admissions to custody who were Aboriginal peoples than any of the other provinces. This may be due in part to the higher proportion of Aboriginal peoples living in the western provinces.