POLICE CHIEF'S 'SAFE JAIL' PLAN APPLAUDED

'Good Idea' Needs Resources, Experts Warn

The police chief's plan to house crime-prone addicts in a so-called
safe jail is good in theory, but could put stress on city programs
unless proper resources are there, say mental health experts.

Chief Rick Hanson is floating the idea of a special jail to divert
addicts and those with mental health issues out of the criminal system
and into rehab or psychological treatment.

The concept has been applauded by the province's justice minister and
solicitor general.

The plan is part of Hanson's three-year police strategy.He says
"self-medicating" thieves and car prowlers would be better served
getting treatment than by doing jail time.

"As a custodial extension of the mental health diversion program, the
proposal has strong merits," said Dr. Patrick Baillie, a forensic
psychiatrist.

"As an expansion of the drug treatment court, the proposal also looks
good. Existing community-based followup programs are overwhelmed with
referrals, so new resources will be needed," he said.

"Still, for an individual struggling with a chronic mental illness
that contributes to criminal misconduct, access to quality treatment
means that a major issue underlying his or her offending may, finally,
get attention."

Many repeat offenders are bouncing around the court system and not
getting help to stay out, said the chief.

Hanson said he'd like to see the justice system incarcerate offenders
in a secure treatment facility so they can receive treatment for addiction.

The city's social agencies would then step in to deal with them in the
long term, he said.

"There's exciting potential in this idea, providing there's services
and support," said Jodi Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Mental
Health Association.

"They certainly aren't getting the help they need in jail. If there's
a commitment to provide those services and support, they'll get the
help they need," she said.

"If it's just a warehouse to keep them someplace separate, that's
questionable."

Youths as well as adults could be held in existing facilities, freeing
space at the Calgary Remand Centre for serious offenders.

Solicitor General Fred Lindsay says the idea has merit, and justice
would be served by helping addicts and those with mental health issues
get help to keep them out of the criminal system.

Justice Minister Alison Red-ford, who has been speaking with Hanson
about the issue, says "innovative approaches" will contribute to safer
communities.

Since 2001,Calgary has been diverting the city's homeless and mentally
ill from the criminal system.

Calgary Diversion Services was created through an agreement between
police, Alberta Justice and Alberta Health Services. Police now flag
files for defence lawyers and Crown prosecutors to consider diverting
the accused from criminal proceedings to mental health clinics,
addiction treatment and shelters.

In the past seven years, diversion services has referred 1,600 of the
city's homeless who have encountered the wrong side of the law for
minor crimes. Three-quarters of them are diagnosed with major
psychiatric disorders, said the program's director, Fran Barnes.

She applauds the "safe jail" concept.

"In theory, it's a good idea. . . . Whenever there's people willing to
collaborate, that's good," she said.

The program now also aids people in trouble with city bylaws,
suchasridingC-Trains without tickets, and other offences considered
minor and low risk.

"The clients are getting the help they need," she said.

The program is voluntary and requires an assessment from the health
region.

Audits of the program reveal it is saving the health and legal systems
thousands of staff hours.

While a safe jail is far from a reality, Baillie says the idea is
good.

"It's all about finding a balance that respects the right of an
individual to decide on his or her treatment, and that ensures the
justice system doesn't complicate itself by be-coming a treatment
provider. I like the idea and look forward to working with its
supporters to ensure adequate safeguards for potential patients."