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.