The Ministry of Justice has released the final evaluation of the Downtown Community Court (DCC).

The DCC is the first of its kind in Canada, offering an innovative court model that has the objective of bringing together multiple agencies to address the health and social needs of offenders, reducing recidivism, improving court efficiencies and engaging with the community.

The evaluation of the DCC consists of three studies focused on:

• Offender outcomes (recidivism).
• Court efficiency.
• Community engagement.

The recidivism study has undergone an academic peer review to validate its findings. It has been published by PLOS ONE, an online scientific journal for peer-reviewed research, published by the Public Library of Science.

The DCC evaluation will inform the development of a broader strategy for specialized courts in British Columbia, which is scheduled for completion in March 2015.

Learn More:

DCC evaluation studies and DCC Executive Board Report: http://www.criminaljusticereform.gov.bc.ca/en/justice_reform_projects/community_court/evaluating_court/index.html

DCC website: http://www.criminaljusticereform.gov.bc.ca/en/justice_reform_projects/community_court/index.html

To find the recidivism study published by PLOS ONE, visit: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090708

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196

Gene Jamieson, Q.C.
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Office of the Chief Judge
604 660-2864