The B.C. First Nations Justice Council has inaugurated a novel Indigenous Diversion Centre in the heart of Prince George, B.C., providing an alternative pathway for Indigenous individuals involved in minor offenses, rather than facing criminal charges. This initiative marks a pioneering effort in Canada.
At a ceremony held on Tuesday, council chair Kory Wilson and Prince George RCMP Supt. Darin Rappel formalized the program by signing an agreement. The diversion center presents Indigenous offenders with the opportunity to engage in a 90-day therapeutic regime, committing to a series of activities to have their charges dismissed.
Supt. Rappel specified that individuals eligible for the program will be those accused of non-violent crimes like shoplifting, fraud, or mischief. Wilson emphasized the disproportionate representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, underscoring the necessity for intervention.
The program’s core focus lies in addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior by fostering a nurturing and culturally sensitive environment conducive to healing. It aims to intervene early, preventing reoffending, and offering participants an alternative route.
Wilson clarified that the program does not provide a “get out of jail free card” but necessitates confronting one’s actions before elders, victims, and those wronged. Addressing trauma and underlying issues contributing to an offender’s behavior is integral to the program’s approach.
Statistics from B.C. Corrections reveal that despite Indigenous individuals constituting approximately six percent of the adult population in B.C., 36 percent of those in provincial custody self-identify as Indigenous. The overcapacity at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, with 63 percent Indigenous inmates, underscores the urgency for innovative approaches.
Marcel Gagnon, the elder-in-residence at the center, highlighted the program’s potential to instill participants with a sense of belonging, self-worth, and community connection. The initiative aims to reduce recidivism rates among Indigenous offenders by addressing root causes and providing holistic support.
Both Wilson and Rappel expressed optimism about the program’s potential impact on the community, emphasizing the importance of addressing socio-economic, mental health, and addiction issues often overlooked in the traditional justice system. The diversion center will also extend its services to support the reintegration of Indigenous individuals released from correctional facilities back into the community.