The "foster care to prison pipeline" is a term used to describe a troubling pattern in which children, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds such as Indigenous, Black, and low-income families, are disproportionately funneled from the foster care system into the criminal justice system. 
Though not a literal pipeline, it represents a systemic cycle of disadvantage, surveillance, and punishment that shapes the lives of many post-foster care people.
One major driver of this pipeline is the over-policing and heightened surveillance of foster youth. These children are often monitored more closely than their peers, and behaviors that might be dealt with informally in a family setting—such as skipping school or breaking curfew—frequently lead to police involvement or court appearances. In group homes, even minor rule violations can result in criminal charges, contributing to early interactions with the justice system.
Fostered children also face significant disconnection from family and community due to frequent placement changes and instability. This disrupts their schooling, relationships, and support networks, while the absence of consistent adult guidance makes them more vulnerable to exploitation, homelessness, and eventual criminalization.
When youth "age out" of foster care, typically at age 18, they are often left without a “safety net,” no family support or resources to rely on. Without stable housing, income, or access to education and job training. Some are forced to turn to survival strategies that lead to arrest and involvement in the criminal justice system.
The impact of this pipeline is especially severe for certain groups. In Canada, Indigenous children represent over 50% of those in foster care despite making up only about 8% of the population under 14. Black youth are similarly overrepresented in both foster care and incarceration due to systemic racism. LGBTQ2S+ youth also face increased risks due to higher rates of family rejection, placement instability, and discrimination within the system. These overlapping forms of marginalization make it even harder for affected youth to break free from the cycle of institutionalization and incarceration.
 
A Real-World Example (Canada):
An Indigenous girl placed in foster care after family poverty or neglect may:
Be moved between group homes.
Face criminal charges for running away or getting into fights.
Struggle with untreated trauma.
Be expelled from school or drop out.
Age out of care without support and end up homeless.
Be arrested for theft, drug possession, or survival sex work.
 
This cycle reflects SYSTEM failures, not personal failure.