On Vancouver, B.C.'s, gritty downtown eastside, the doors have opened to the first-ever community court in Canada.
"This will be Canada's first one-stop sentencing and services facility," said B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
The community court model is based on a concept called 'restorative justice' - similar to the traditional communal problem-solving used by Canada's aboriginal people.
The aim is to break the cycle of chronic offenders rotating through the provincial court system, many who come from the downtown eastside. Over 50 per cent of those arrested in the troubled neighbourhood have mental health problems, addictions or both -- which often leads to crime.
"What we've done in the past hasn't worked so we need to look at those chronic offenders who keep coming into the court rooms and do something about it," B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal told CTV.
Only two judges will oversee the cases compared to the dozens in regular provincial court. The hope is the duo will get to know who the repeat offenders are, and sentence accordingly.
B.C.'s Attorney General describes the court, which will handle an estimated 1,500 accused criminals each year, as the most creative court initiative the provincial government has implemented in the last 35 years.
The root of crime
Community court takes a problem-solving approach to crime. By dealing with the underlying health and social problems that contribute to crime, the hope is chronic offenders can be rehabilitated effectively by providing social services for criminals in the same location they see a judge - an integrated sentencing and services court.
It's a concept known as integrated case management. Social housing and addictions counselors will be in the court beside lawyers and sheriffs, with the public welcome to participate in what is hoped will be the speedy rehabilitation of repeat offenders.
Crimes to be dealt with include vehicle break-ins, assault, petty drug possession and shoplifting. In all crimes, the focus is on the rehabilitation of the offender.
Long-term plan for offenders
Candidates for the court are interviewed by an assessment team composed of social service workers, health officers and housing professionals. Judge Thomas Gove, who will preside over the court at 211 Gore Street, say a detailed plan will be made for each offender the court sees.
He estimates 80 per cent of the crime in the court's downtown Vancouver jurisdiction is committed by only seven per cent of citizens, most who suffer drug and alcohol addictions, or mental problems.
In simple cases, the offender may simply receive a referral for housing, health care or income assistance. The court could also recommend drug treatment or detox. More complex cases may involve a full assessment by mental health and addiction specialists, or the completion of detailed treatment and counseling schedule by court workers.
Critics question future success
Not everyone is convinced the project will be a success.
Laura Track, a lawyer and housing campaigner for Vancouver's Pivot Society, says there's legal log jam ahead unless the government invests millions more in housing and treatment programs.
"The court, in a sense, is being set up to fail," Track told CTV News.
"Housing is full... People are already waiting days to access detox and no new services have been created specifically for this court," she said.
Judge Thomas Gove, who will preside over the new community court, admits it's not a foolproof system - yet.
"I'd be foolish to say we have all the resources in the community today because we don't," said Gove.
"But the goodness is that not only has the government made the commitment, and is moving ahead by supplying the housing and supportive housing we need."
If the social services do come and it's successful, the community court could become a model for justice in cities right across Canada.
