Criminal Justice Reform Projects
Prolific Offender Management Project
About 50 per cent of reported crimes in British Columbia are committed by about 10 per cent of offenders. These prolific offenders have long criminal histories. They typically have 20 or more convictions for property theft, drug offences and assault. Many will have been to jail numerous times within a single year, often followed by another cycle of probation violations and incarceration.
The pattern of behaviour exhibited by these offenders can often be linked to substance abuse, addictions, mental disorders, lack of job skills and similar issues. Evidence shows that a two-pronged approach – focusing law enforcement on prolific offenders, while referring them to specific services – can reduce their chronic criminal behaviour. A similar model was used in the United Kingdom with positive results.
In February 2008, the prolific offender management pilot project was launched in six communities:
- Kamloops
- Nanaimo
- Prince George
- Surrey
- Victoria (Capital Regional District)
- Williams Lake
These sites were chosen to reflect a variety of geographic locations and size of communities and to build on existing initiatives.
The project brings together resources from enforcement agencies (police, corrections and Crown), regional health authorities, housing services, Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Ministry of Children and Family Development (youth justice) and Adult Forensic Psychiatric Services.
The project uses increased supervision and timely intervention with a small group of prolific offenders to address the issues that fuel criminal activity.
These interventions can include:
- referrals to drug treatment programs;
- seeing mental health professionals on a regular basis; and
- referrals to job or housing programs.
Results from the pilots will be evaluated to determine how much crime declines in each community and what approaches work well with these offenders. Best practices in policing and intervention will be shared with interested B.C. communities.
Resources
- For an overview of the program, download this document. (PDF/123KB)
- For frequently asked questions about the program, including how pilot communities were chosen, whether young offenders will be included and previous experience with this program, click here.
- For more information about the project, see the news release.
- To find out how to reduce personal property thefts, a common target of prolific offenders, download this document. (PDF/54KB)
- For a guide to preventing crime in your community, click here.
