The B.C. First Nations Justice Council has recently inaugurated an Indigenous Diversion Center in downtown Prince George, B.C., providing an alternative to criminal charges for Indigenous individuals involved in minor offenses. This initiative, touted as the first of its kind in Canada, was officially launched during a ceremony attended by council chair Kory Wilson and Prince George RCMP Supt. Darin Rappel.
Indigenous offenders eligible for the program can opt for a 90-day therapeutic plan involving a series of activities to have their charges dismissed. The focus lies on addressing the underlying causes of offenses in a compassionate and culturally sensitive setting, emphasizing early intervention to prevent reoffending and offering a different path for participants.
Kory Wilson stressed the necessity of tackling the disproportionate representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, emphasizing the program’s commitment to healing and preventing future misconduct. She emphasized that the initiative is not a lenient measure but a challenging process that involves facing elders, victims, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Statistics from B.C. Corrections reveal a significant overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in provincial custody, with 36% identifying as Indigenous despite comprising only about 6% of the adult population in B.C. Wilson highlighted the overcrowding issue at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, where 63% of inmates are Indigenous, underscoring the need for innovative approaches.
Marcel Gagnon, the center’s elder-in-residence from Lheldi T’enneh, highlighted the program’s potential to instill participants with a sense of belonging, value, and connection. The initiative aims to provide essential support to individuals reintegrating into the community post-release from correctional facilities.
Both Wilson and Rappel expressed optimism about the program’s impact on addressing socio-economic challenges, mental health issues, and addictions that often go unaddressed in the traditional justice system. Rappel believes the initiative could help break the cycle of reoffending and enhance policing efforts in Prince George, offering a new avenue to foster positive outcomes for Indigenous individuals involved in the justice system.
