Several demographic challenges may have a significant impact on the CSC's operations in the coming years. As Canadian society ages, so does the offender population. Consequently, the CSC is looking to develop a range of strategies to address the physical, mental, health care, programming, and conditional release needs of the growing older population. The CSC's offender population is also becoming increasingly diverse ethnically, racially, culturally, and religiously. To address this, the CSC will need to initiate programs and services to meet the needs of various segments of the inmate population and to ensure diversity is also reflected in CSC staff. Recent demographic analysis and crime rates among Aboriginal young people indicate this problem will take time to resolve, especially since birth rates of Aboriginal people far exceed those of other Canadian groups. Female offenders also represent part of the changing inmate population. If current trends continue, there will be an increase in the number of female offenders entering Federal institutions and more gender-based programming to meet the needs of women will be required. Health care concerns complicate the correctional environment, and the CSC is considering proactive approaches to health care in both institutional and community settings. Finally, gangs are becoming a prominent issue in corrections. The CSC recognizes gangs can easily destabilize the prison environment and endanger vulnerable segments of the inmate population. The author concludes that the correctional environment is not static and that complex factors play a critical role in CSC operations.