Whereas the court system is experiencing an overwhelming number of cases; And whereas the current justice system including bail system challenges of dealing with crime rarely results in reforming individuals: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province to support further funding for diversion courts with dedicated judges so as to implement greater capacity in the restorative justice system, complimented by sufficient treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
Ministry of Attorney General Specialized courts are alternatives to the traditional court process, and may include a diversion element, i.e. into community programs and services. Their operations are structured to respond to a particular justice system challenge or a community problem. They expand the role of the court from adjudication and sanctions into other areas, including offender management, health and social services, and improving efficiencies of justice services. While many communities are anxious to respond to highly visible crime problems through specialized courts, they may not always be the most effective solution. Addressing specific gaps in social services or improving coordination of existing resources may better address some of the factors that place individuals at risk for entering the criminal justice system. The Province is working to address repeat violent offending in our communities through the Safer Communities Action Plan, launched in November 2022. The Action Plan aims to improve coordination between law enforcement, community service organizations, justice system actors, and health providers, to address the issues people are seeing in their communities. Examples of measures under the Action Plan include: - Launching new repeat violent offender coordinated response teams, made up of police, dedicated prosecutors, and probation officers; - Expanding mental-health crisis response teams into more communities so police can focus on crime, and people in crisis are met early on by health-care workers and community members; and - Opening 10 new Indigenous Justice Centres to provide culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice system, to address the root causes of their involvement in the system and help them break the cycle. The Province looks forward to evaluating the impact of these measures in helping address repeat offending in communities throughout British Columbia.