Council to advance Kamloops community court push at UBCM convention

Community courts bring together mental health professionals, nurses, and community services with the justice system, usually focused around bail and sentencing.

“There was a bail program that dealt with mental health, so there was a mental health program that existed so when people come into custody they were assessed immediately and they were connected with a psychologist or mental health worker and then put on bail and closely monitored in the community to ensure they are compiling with their health strategy or their health program,” said Dalrymple.

“After somebody was sentenced, they were followed by a team comprised of a probation officer, sometimes a housing specialist and other people who would ensure they have stable housing post-sentencing and are able to thrive in the community post-sentencing,” added Dalrymple.

Kamloops city council has been mulling the idea of bringing a community court to city, hoping it will help address some of the street disorder and mental health challenges that persist.

“[We need to] coordinate to ensure we are catching as many folks as possible before they enter a traditional system of justice,” said Councillor Katie Neustaeter. “And we really do believe there is now an avenue and an inlet.”

One of the challenges around bringing a community court to reality in Kamloops surrounds workload and staffing. Positives hit at collaboration and continuity.

“You would have an immediate response to the criminal behavior. You would provide immediate access to resources. Resources were all, usually, co-located within one building. More accountability for offenders, and the court and services were more familiar with offenders,” said Dalrymple.

Council plans to again advocate for a community court during meetings with provincial ministers at UBCM later this month.

by Michael Reeve

Council to advance Kamloops community court push at UBCM convention

Our Community