Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Metro Canada Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775 Author: Kristen Thompsom 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath