Pubdate: Sat, 1 Mar 2008
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun

B.C. OFFERS DEAL TO CHRONIC CRIMINALS

They'll Get Quick Access to Services If They Lay Off Crime, 
Solicitor-General Says

The B.C. government said Friday it is testing a new way of dealing 
with criminals who regularly steal cars, deal drugs, commit assaults 
or commit other, similar crimes.

Solicitor-General John Les said the idea is to offer prolific 
offenders -- with 24 or more convictions between the ages of 18 and 
24 -- an easy way to gain access to provincial programs such as 
health care, addictions treatment, mental health, housing and welfare services.

"It will be an a la carte selection of services that will be provided 
to them in a comprehensive way, in a way we haven't done before, in 
exchange for their commitment to utilize these services and to stay 
out of trouble," said Les, adding the program will not cost taxpayers 
any extra money.

"We think this can be a much more enlightened approach than anything 
that has been tried before," he added.

The government said in a news release that about 50 per cent of 
reported crimes in B.C. are committed by about 10 per cent of offenders.

It added that in many cases, the crimes can be linked to substance 
abuse and addictions, mental disorders, lack of job skills and other issues.

"Clearly, if we can deal with that underlying pathology then we can 
take away the driver of much of that criminal activity," said Les, 
referring to those root causes of crime.

"It's working smarter than we have in the past, abolishing the silos."

Les said small pilot programs have been testing the idea in Coquitlam 
and North Vancouver, and both had showed "very significant reductions 
in criminal activity."

He announced new, larger pilot programs for Surrey, Kamloops, 
Nanaimo, Prince George and the Victoria area.

Called the Prolific Offender Management Project, it will be 
implemented by teams that include representatives of corrections, 
police, the Ministry of Attorney-General, regional health 
authorities, housing services, Ministry of Employment and Income 
Assistance and others.

Les said Vancouver is already running a similar chronic-offender 
management program on its own, and that the government is looking to 
support that as well.

He added the government will track the progress of the provincial 
pilot projects, and hopes to expand the program province-wide if 
results are positive. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake