While the Prolific Offender Management (POM) pilot has now concluded, the best practices learned through the program will be continued in each of the pilot communities and incorporated throughout the province to ensure co-ordinated supervision, enforcement, and access to services for chronic offenders.

While an independent evaluation of the program was unable to draw a direct line between the POM pilot and changes in offender behaviour, it found a "significant association" between the program and reduced recidivism. It also found that offenders increased their use of physical-health services, housing and other social services, while having fewer negative police contacts and spending less time in custody.

BC Corrections is currently developing a transition plan to reach out to partner agencies within justice, health and social services, to ensure routine cross-ministry collaboration and to ensure the positive approaches developed are used effectively in communities throughout the province.

The pilot project, launched in February 2008 in six communities (Prince George, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Surrey, Greater Victoria and Nanaimo), brought together resources from enforcement agencies (police, corrections and Crown) and health and social services. The project aimed to use more intensive supervision and timely intervention with a small group of prolific offenders to reduce crime by linking offenders to services, as well as increasing enforcement and providing better information to the courts.

The two-year evaluation of the project, carried out by Simon Fraser University (SFU), shows the prolific offenders involved in the pilot project:

• Re-offended 40 per cent less during the first year follow-up period when compared to their criminal behaviour prior to their involvement in the pilot project.

• Reduced re-offending rates for property crime, violent offences and drug - and alcohol -related offences.

• Used physical-health services more.

• Used housing and other social services more.

• Had fewer negative police contacts.

• Spent less time in custody.

To see a copy of the SFU study, please visit: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-reform-initiatives/publications/pdf/PPOM.pdf

For more information on the POM pilot project, please visit: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-reform-initiatives/pom/index.htm

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961