CREATIVE CRIME SOLUTIONS

New Downtown Court Based On U.S. Model

A new provincial court opens its doors in the Downtown Eastside today,
offering an innovative approach to curbing the cycle of poverty and
drug addiction that fuels crime in Vancouver.

The Downtown Community Court, which is modelled after a similar system
in the U.S., aims to determine why offenders commit crimes, and
instead of punishing them, help them overcome those problems.

"This is perhaps the most creative thing to be done in the criminal
justice system in the 35 years that I've been here," said British
Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal.

He said prison is a revolving door for criminals who are driven by
addiction or mental health problems.

"Should we process those people in the conventional way, send them to
jail?" Oppal said. "We all know what happens -- they come out worse
and become repeat offenders."

Provincial Court Judge Thomas Gove said defendants in the court can
either plead not guilty and go to a traditional court, or plead guilty
and enter the community court system.

Addiction and mental health counsellors will determine why each
defendant committed their crime and judges can hand down sentences
ranging from community service and mandatory rehab to jail time.